As the world marks International Girls in ICT Day on April 23rd 2026, Raissa Manzi Michelline’s journey offers a clear example of how access to the right opportunities can shape individual potential and create wider impact.
At 23, Raissa is working as a Back-end Development Trainer at Igire Rwanda Organization (IRO), supporting young women to build skills in software development. Her path into tech did not begin with structured guidance.
Before joining the SheCanCode bootcamp, Raissa was exploring technology on her own. She had the curiosity, but lacked a clear pathway and practical experience. “I didn’t have clear guidance at first,” she recalls. “I wasn’t sure where to begin. Errors that made no sense. Code that refused to work. Long nights when giving up felt easier than trying one more time. I questioned myself constantly: Am I smart enough? Do I belong here?.”
That changed when she enrolled in SheCanCode, a 16-week intensive training program designed to equip young women with technical skills and prepare them for opportunities in the digital sector. Since 2018, the program has trained over 800 women and forms part of the broader Digital Skills for Employability (DSE) initiative, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, which focuses on closing the digital skills gap and expanding pathways into employment.
A defining moment came during the bootcamp’s capstone project. Participants were required to identify real-world problems and develop technology-based solutions, then present their work to peers and industry stakeholders. This experience marked a transition from learning independently to applying her skills in a structured, professional environment.
“Joining the bootcamp was like entering a safe space,” she says. “I felt comfortable asking questions, collaborating, and pushing myself beyond my limits. Confidence did not lead the way; consistency did. Growth followed,” she says.
She completed the program with the support of her family, who helped her stay focused and navigate challenges throughout the process. Their encouragement played a role in helping her stay committed during an intensive training period.
Since then, Raissa has moved into a professional role and is now contributing to how others enter the field. This reflects a broader trend, with 84 percent of SheCanCode graduates moving into employment after completing the program.
“I’ve learned a lot at SheCanCode, and now I’m in a position where I can share that knowledge with others,” she explains.
At Igire Rwanda Organization, she works with young women in the SheCanCode pathway, supporting them as they build their skills and navigate the same early challenges she once faced herself. She guides them through technical concepts, reviews their code, and encourages them to keep going when they feel stuck, helping them build confidence as they develop their own projects.
Her journey reflects a broader pattern. Access to structured training is enabling more young women to move from interest to capability, and from capability to contribution within Rwanda’s growing digital sector.
Through SheCanCode, Raissa moved from learning on her own to working in a structured environment, and now to supporting others entering the same pathway. Her experience reflects how access to training, combined with consistent support, can shape not only individual careers but also how others experience the same journey.
Raissa’s experience shows how this model works in practice. What began as independent exploration has become a career, and now a role that supports others to take the same step.
Looking ahead, she aims to continue growing as a software developer while contributing to solutions that respond to real needs in her community.
Young women interested in building a career in technology can apply to the SheCanCode bootcamp through Igire Rwanda Organization (IRO) and take the first step toward entering Rwanda’s digital workforce.
Raissa, focused and immersed in her work, applying her coding skills in a professional environment
Raissa working on a design task, utilizing her technical expertise to develop scalable and user-friendly solutions
Participants actively engaged in their learning journey, with Raissa’s guidance helping them gain valuable skills in tech
Young women collaborating during a training session, guided by Raissa, who empowers and mentors others in the tech industry
Raissa Manzi Michelline standing proudly outside her office, symbolizing her growth and success in the tech industry
