Growing up, Niyonshuti Etienne ’29 often heard negative perceptions about deaf people. His outlook changed when he was admitted to an inclusive high school where deaf and hearing students learned together. At first, the experience felt unfamiliar, but daily interactions with his deaf classmates soon replaced uncertainty with understanding. He discovered a warm and welcoming community that challenged the stereotypes he had grown up hearing. 

Curious to learn more, Etienne developed an interest in deaf culture and asked his peers to teach him sign language. As his skills improved, he began volunteering as a sign language interpreter whenever support was needed at school. During an entrepreneurship course, Project-Based Assessment, Etienne worked with some of his deaf peers to identify a challenge in their school: the periodic shortage of basic supplies, especially soap. While the assignment was meant to be a written project,  Etienne and his team went further to produce liquid soap for sale to the school community and parents. Instead of sharing profits, they invested all earnings into the making and sale of doughnuts on days when the school snack shop was closed.  

After completing high school, Etienne co-founded Fruits of Love, a charity initiative aimed at supporting deaf students at the basic school level by providing essential supplies such as books, stationery, and uniforms. The initiative also trains deaf people in soap making to help them become financially independent. 

Now a member of Ashesi’s undergraduate Class of 2029 Cohort B, Etienne is studying Management Information Systems. He chose the program because it brings together his interests in business and technology, and he believes digital tools can help scale social ventures and expand inclusive solutions. On campus, he remains passionate about accessibility and interpretation, and he hopes to continue strengthening his sign language skills while advocating for more inclusive spaces.