Dadi

“Ishimwe”—in Kinyarwanda, his name means “give thanks to God.” Indeed, there are countless reasons to thank God for the life of Dadi Ishimwe.

From a young age, Dadi’s life has been marked by both challenge and divine provision. He arrived at the Rafiki Village Rwanda in 2009, a small boy in need of care and belonging. At Rafiki, he found more than shelter and nourishment; he discovered a loving family and a place where faith took root. Each evening, under the gentle guidance of Rafiki Mother Florence, Dadi and his brothers gathered for devotions filled with Bible study, song, and prayer. Among the songs dearest to his heart were “God Is So Good” and “Jesus Loves Me,” melodies that stirred his childlike faith and reminded him of God’s constant presence.

Even as a child, Dadi learned to turn to God when afraid, finding comfort in prayer and confidence in God’s love. This trust in God has carried him through his journey from boyhood to the remarkable young man he is now. Today, Dadi’s mind brims with ideas, and his heart longs to honor the Lord.

Dadi graduated from high school in 2024 and stepped into the next chapter of his life. He applied and was accepted to study online with a prestigious technology university, pursuing a certificate in computer and data science.

“School’s been a real challenge, especially with how deep we’re diving into Artificial Intelligence and training models. It’s intense, but I’m learning a ton.”

Dadi spoke with excitement about his group project, where he collaborates with a diverse team from around the world. Their work, fueled by the expertise of renowned instructors, stretches Dadi’s skills and broadens his horizons.

Yet Dadi’s thirst for learning does not stop in the classroom. In his free time, he pours his creativity into personal projects. One of his biggest ventures is developing a real estate app to address inefficiencies he sees in the housing market in Rwanda. He is designing scalable databases, crafting intuitive user experiences, building complex backend systems, and ensuring data privacy and security—all driven by a vision to serve his community better.

Beneath all his pursuits lies a heart earnest for God. He disciplines himself through prioritizing the study of God’s Word, and he yearns to grow in integrity and use his gifts to serve those around him.

“My time after graduation has been one filled with hardships and trouble,” Dadi reflects. “Looking back, I see that all that has made me closer to God and changed my perspective of life for the better. I thank God for all the support I received from those around me and my Rafiki family.”

We give thanks to God for Dadi Ishimwe—for his bright mind, his creative spirit, his unwavering faith, and his deep desire to use his gifts for God’s glory. True to his name, Dadi’s life is a song of thanksgiving. As he presses on toward the future God has prepared for him, we join him in praising the One who has written every step of his journey.