Every sun rises above Kigali, the city wakes up to a new set of price tags on everything. For young adults, life is a rollercoaster of trying to make ends meet, with monetary responsibilities stacking up quicker than we can keep up.
Let me give you a picture of our reality, let us take three young Kigalians, hypothetically in their 20s, earning a monthly income of Rwf150,000-500,000.
In the first scenario, there is a young professional, who has a 9-5 job at entry level in a company somewhere in Kigali. It feels like she is constantly deciding between getting by and chasing her dreams. Welcome to the adulthood club, where her childhood fantasies meet with the hard facts of life, whether she is ready for them or not!
When she wakes up every morning, it feels like the weight of the grown-up world is weighing down on her shoulders. She gets her paycheck, and she is careful with every penny to ensure that she can afford the necessities such as rent, food, and transportation, yet it appears to vanish faster than a Snapchat message.
For many, rent is a monthly anxiety attack. Kigali landlords have a special capacity to recognize troubled tenants. It’s an everyday battle between asking for more time and facing the very real possibility of eviction.
And then there is food. It’s like playing the culinary lotto. Do you spend on a good lunch and risk getting hungry later? Or do you cling to inexpensive food and abandon nutrition to save money? And seriously who said Generation Z doesn’t know anything about life? We’re almost pros at juggling these difficult decisions.
Getting around town is another issue. Public transportation costs keep on rising and don’t get me started on those moto-taxis. They act as if every breath you take is worth a few more francs. I mean, is coming from my living room to my room worth 1k?
In this ongoing battle, there is no room for luxuries or future savings. The future seems so far away and almost too luxurious for the rich.
In the second scenario is another young adult with a common set of responsibilities. He does not only think about his own needs but also those of your family members. Every day begins with a reminder that he is the glue holding everything together. School tuition for his siblings, medical costs for his parents – these aren’t things you can just put off. These are not optional expenses; they are non-negotiable obligations that must be met at whatever cost.
With a salary that barely covers his basic needs, the pressure to find extra money is intense. He is running all over Kigali looking for additional work, which seems like winning the jackpot just to get one. Sleep? Ah, what is that? He is constantly drained, pushing himself beyond limits.
But, why does he keep going? Because looking at his family, he notices something outstanding. He sees hope and a future. That makes all his fatigue and effort worth it. He is motivated to wake up and try again tomorrow.
In the last scenario, there is a young adult who works hard to make ends meet. He is unemployed, worried about rent, and just trying to put food on the table. It’s tough out there, the competition is cutthroat. He is one of millions who are looking for jobs.
With nothing to lose and everything to gain, they seize any opportunity that offers a ray of hope. Employers regularly reject them, leaving them with no choice except to accept whatever life throws their way. They become susceptible to scammers and opportunists, who lure them with promises of easy money and quick fixes. He is desperate and vulnerable, and before he knows it, he falls into their trap, and loses the loan money he had promised to pay back next week, it all seems doomed.
Living as a young adult in Kigali is like trying to balance on a balance beam high above uncertain. Every move feels risky and every decision feels like you’re balancing success and despair.
Despite challenges, there is an inner strength that defies older generations’ assumptions that Gen Z is weak and inexperienced. It is so wrong! When you look into the eyes of Kigali’s young adults, you can feel a quiet determination burning within them.
They are all about creating a brighter future for themselves and their loved ones. So, the next time you walk through Kigali’s streets, take a moment to appreciate the tenacity and spirit of its youth. Their stories include the purest expression of hope and resilience.
And, for you young SENS readers, here’s the kicker: quitting is not an option. In Kigali, you have to keep pushing no matter what. It’s not a choice; it’s just how things are.
