This morning, a rising Rwandan actress Saranda Umutoni Olive announced that she has been accepted into the Nivishe Mental Health Fellowship Cohort 5.
In a brief interview, Saranda shared more about the program, explaining that the fellowship is headquartered in Italy, with a regional branch in Nairobi, Kenya, serving East Africa. However, she revealed that she does not plan to travel to Nairobi.
“I have classes to attend here in Rwanda, and this requires a lot of focus,” she explained. “If I were to travel, I wouldn’t be able to manage both. That’s why I’ve chosen to attend the fellowship virtually — so I can balance both commitments effectively.”
When asked why she applied to the fellowship, Saranda pointed to her ongoing mental health initiative:
“As you may know, I have a project called Therapoetry, which uses poetry to help people struggling with mental health challenges.”
She also revealed that the fellowship’s graduation ceremony will take place in Italy, and she plans to attend in person.
Saranda’s dedication to mental health advocacy continues to grow, as shown by her participation in various programs aimed at expanding her knowledge in the field. Her journey reflects a powerful message: while passion and willingness are important, gaining knowledge is essential to truly help others and reach your goals.
