Simple, beautiful, well poised, empowering and nurturing are some of the words that can be used to describe Arlene Muco. This young African leader hails from Burundi. I got to interact with her at President Obama’s YALI Initiative and I must say, I was really inspired. I got to learn some Burundian moves from her, the lady can bust some crazy moves!
I was born and bred in Burundi. I had what everyone would call a normal childhood albeit I must confess I was easily distracted at school. I am not sure if it was the lack of interest in education as a child or the peer pressure. I continually thank God for a strong support system that my family was and continues to be, they never gave up on me and this saw my grades improve. I joined one of the best high schools in Bujumbura. I became a leader in many aspects one of them being the coordinator of Karmesse fundraising events which aim at helping different orphanages in my city. Many people began calling me, Miss Mic Girl because of how I got comfortable with the microphone and hosted events. After clearing high school in 2011, I joined Hope Africa University to pursue Social work and Community Development. Isn’t it interesting how life is like a puzzle? Every encounter since childhood is a step, a lesson towards shaping you. I already knew that I was created to give hope and encourage people by interacting with the less fortunate and this played a huge role in choosing my degree. After finishing university, I interned in a firm for three months in 2015 until all hell broke loose. There was crisis in Burundi. It was ugly. People died, were displaced from their homes and even though the crisis happened a bit far away from where I live, the instability was unbearable and full of uncertainty, my family sort refuge in Rwanda. We stayed in Rwanda for a month and went back to Burundi even though my parents wanted to assess the situation for a bit longer. My siblings and I really wanted to go back home. The rest of the year was uncertain but we had to strive on. After three months, I got hired as a radio host at Buja FM to run a weekly show, Ligala Connect and later a daily breakfast show, Mpagaciro. My show has changed my life. It aims at empowering the youth, women and families.I am still awed at the power of media, it can make or break. My show reaches millions of people hence changing countless lives. I get to work with people who are struggling in life and help them in whatever way I can. My heart was stolen long ago by youth and women. It is always heart breaking to host unemployed youth or women in their twenties who have had immense problems since childhood. People who have lost hope, people who come to the show as a last resort. It makes me cry sometimes and at the same time makes me stronger because there is so much I can do, that we can all do. It is also very rewarding to see these hopeless people turn their lives around and become ambitious and successful. At 26, I have made a vow to change and help shape my community so help me God. I urge my fellow Young African Leaders to rise, to do something, to own Africa and tell our own stories. I believe that when you empower a woman, you shape a community. That healthy families make healthy nations. We have all been created the same way, God has given us greatness and talents not for own selfish needs but to help others. I still can’t believe that I was selected to be a part of President Obama’s initiative, this goes to show that tenacity and a love for others will open big doors to enhance your skills as a leader. My vision is to use every tool I have to encourage our youth and women in Burundi and in Africa. To let them know they have inbuilt greatness, they do not need politicians to succeed and can do it by themselves.
We are super proud of Arlene for what she is doing for Burundi. We also hope to catch up again soon in Burundi over her favourite meal, Isombe (cassava leaves), mixed with sweet potatoes, rice, meat and sauce.
