A Hustle Worth the Struggle

This sounds problematic already, doesn’t it? I would like to tell you about the training materials I am developing on the Imibereho System.

The Imibereho System is a national database of socio-economic data for all households in Rwanda, managed by MINALOC. It helps determine household welfare scores, ensuring that services like the Vision Umurenge Program (VUP), Girinka, and Mutuelle de Santé payments reach those who need them most.

This project has two phases. In the first phase, my contribution was to develop a how-to video for citizens on how to access the system using USSD on their phones. Thanks to great teamwork and collaboration with the client, the first phase came to an end.

But then came the real struggle—the second phase of making an e-course for the users of the Imibereho System.

As an Instructional Designer,  when creating an e-course, you need to ensure that it is accurate, understandable, and relevant. Now, what happens when the system you are designing for an e-course that isn’t finished yet?

While developing the learning materials, we continually discover features and aspects of the system that need further improvement. The developers then make changes, and I have to redo some of my work.

As the focal point of this project, I have to keep things moving, ensuring that the training materials remain relevant. I have learned to navigate uncertainty, collaborate effectively with the client, and find solutions in an environment where things don’t always go as planned. These are skills I will carry with me far beyond this project.

Fortunately, my MINALOC colleague is a great support, and we work as a team to find quick and effective solutions.

This project reminds me that problem-solving isn’t about waiting for perfect conditions. It’s about navigating the unknown, making sense of complexity, and creating something meaningful out of it.

In the end, the hustle is worth the struggle.

Abdulkalim Sezirahiga