Kizito Iratizne wakes up at 6 a.m. in the Kampala, Uganda dorm room he shares with six other men and sips tea for breakfast.
Kizito Iratizne wakes up at 6 a.m. in the Kampala, Uganda dorm room he shares with six other men and sips tea for breakfast. The Rwandan heads to his dental studies classes, his prized laptop with him at all times, and chows down on one meal during the day – usually rice, beans and potatoes.
After school he goes to choir practice, teaching and playing piano along with the vocalists. Once the day is through he carefully places the computer beneath him before falling sleep.
Iratizne is in his first year of dental school, arming himself with the knowledge he needs to fill a void in a country marred by heartbreak and disease. Thanks to the help of a friend half a world away, his dream is becoming a reality.
"He will be the first dental therapist in Rwanda to graduate from dentistry," said Misty Reberger, who works at Innisfail Family Dental. "Most of the population of Rwanda is children, really under the age of 30, because of the genocide."
The Innisfail resident joined retired Three Hills dentist Drew Cahoon on a three-week trip to Giterama, Rwanda in February where she mentored Iratizne in dental hygiene.
"We went there to improve their skills and educate them on how to clean teeth," she said. "It made me aware of the needs of people and how resilient people can be who have been through tragedy."
After the life-changing trip, Reberger sent Iratizne the laptop so he could decide where to go to school. He selected a five-year program at Makere University in Kampala.
So far his first year of tuition has been covered, but Reberger is raising money to fund some of his remaining years.
"He will improve so many lives," she said. "I needed to do something to make a difference, so this has been my focus."
Reberger is holding the Rwanda Dental Dream Fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 17 featuring Allen Christie and the Great Cowgrass Band at the Cottonwood Hall. The event will include cocktails, dinner and a concert starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person. Contact Reberger at 403-304-6883 or [email protected] for more information.
Reberger plans to go back with her husband Shane, daughter Fallon and son Jett in 2017 when Iratizne graduates.
"I'd go tomorrow if I could," she said.
"I'd go tomorrow if I could," she said.
