Recipient of a scholarship since 2016 from the Rockstart program of which she is the ambassador, Maliyamungu Gift Muhandeis a member of the board of directors of the NGO Soeur Lève toi. She also worked for a few years in the design industry. Photographer,she specializes in media and brand communication for multimedia design.
She created a therapeutic training program for refugee children that she set up in November and December 2016 in Uganda. The project is characterized by the design of a human-centred application with a vision that bridges the gap of “knowing how to make the difference”.
Most recently, she received one of four Gold Loeries that was awarded in the student category. “The Loeries” is the first initiative of Africa and the Middle East that recognizes, rewards, inspires and promotes creative excellence in the brand communication industry. This initiative aims to build great experiences, powerful products and timeless brands.
When on vacation where do you spend most of your time: in the city, on the beach or out and about exploring nature?
It all depends on what the city has to offer as I am extremely open to everything. In this case, nature is an integral part of everything.
Key Dates
- 19 August 2017: my gold medal at the LoeriesAwards : I won a gold medal. My project was entitled “The Dumbest Project” and focused on the 15% pay gap experienced by teachers in America. The Loeries® Creative Week in Durban is the largest creative gathering in Africa and Middle East and brings together the best innovative minds in our industry for a networking festival, inspiring minds and recognizing excellence.
- 3 December 2016: «Colour For Change» : I founded “Colour For Change” in the Nakivalerefugee camp in Uganda to create peaceful change through unification. It was a process of transformation aiming to create a colouring book consisting of drawings of avariety of people from different backgrounds for refugee children. I believe we cannot hope to foster sustainable development if the spirits of the future are consumed by war, death and displacement. My wish is to bring a little hope through this initiative.
- 7 January 2016: My RockstartScholarship :I received a full scholarship from Rockstartwhich is a program that bridges the gap between the untapped potential of the youth and the challenge of finding, educating and keeping the best talents.
- 7 July 1995: My birth: Last but not least, I love my day of birth.
- Aside from loving the aesthetics of the digital numbers when it is written (07/07/95), I like that number 7 is sacred in the Bible. It symbolizes spiritual perfection and denotes completeness. I am a lover of the word of God, and the whole word of God is based on the number seven. It represents the seven days of creation, it is used more than 735 times in the Bible and 54 times in the book of the ‘Apocalypse.
INTERVIEW
When on vacation where do you spend most of your time: in the city, on the beach or out and about exploring nature?
It all depends on what the city has to offer as I am extremely open to everything. In this case, nature is an integral part of everything.
A 3 words definition of journey.
Traveling is a kind of education for life and not a reward for me. It gives me things that money cannot buy. For example, experiences and memories, the vast diversity of cultures and people. A journey opens the mind and helps us to get rid of prejudice
What is your dream destination?
My dream trip would be to go to Seychelles. I like the fact that we can find heavenly places in our African continent without going elsewhere.
What is your favourite place in the world?
Bukavu. Because here I am connected with my roots. I am very connected to nature, people are so kind.
A hotel
Before the creation of Airbnb, my first option was always to travel wherever there would be family members. I like adventure and family-life atmosphere. The hotels give me an overwhelming feeling of structure and hyper-comfort that I do not appreciate when I travel. I love staying with family because they can share their way of experiencing the city and make me feel at home, while a hotel would just give me a glimpse as a tourist who would just pass by. So when there is no other solution, I prefer to rent an apartment or house, and interact with the people I meet. Now, Airbnb makes life easier.
If I had to mention a place where I would love to stay, then it would be the hotel “ItegueTaitu” in Addis Ababa because of the character and the history that it holds as well as the hotel “Panorama” in Bukavu , because of its excellent location by the lake.
Your favourite restaurant in the world?
I love to live an adventure in everything I do when I travel, especially when I eat in foreign countries. I like to eat in nameless restaurants, street restaurants; the hidden gems are the best restaurants in the world. They often prepare traditional cuisine better than fine restaurants. So, my advice for travellers is you have to immerse yourself into the culture of the places you visit and find a trusted street restaurant. That’s why it’s important to connect with people for tips on good hidden hot spots.
On an island what would you take with you?
My camera.
A journey back in time…
I spent time in Uganda in December 2016, it wasthe perfect balance between being a tourist and taking care of children. I set up a creative program for refugee children and visited places like Queen Elizabeth National Park and went to Katwe where the movie Queen of Katwe, with LupitaNyongo, was filmed.
Your last trip?
Uganda in November.
Your next trip?
In January. We will see….
What question would you ask if the answer was “yes”?
A free pass from the UN that serves as a passport.
