A Son of Two Countries is a story of struggle for education. Born in
1946 in Rwanda under Belgian colonial rule, the author recounts his
early education in Rwanda and later as a refugee in Tanzania. He was
naturalized as a Tanzanian citizen in 1980 while doing his undergraduate
studies at the University of Dar es Salaam. As he struggled to get
education, the author was also grappling with his refugee status, with
all the challenges that it entailed.
The book gives insights into the contradictions of colonial and
post-colonial education, as well as the author's reflections on
education in Tanzania, given his long experience in the education sector
in that country. Finally, we get some glimpses into the dual identity of
the author as a Tanzanian citizen of Rwandan origin and how this shaped
his relationship with the two countries he calls home. As he aptly puts
it, "Rwanda gave me my heart; Tanzania gave me my brain. I find it
difficult to choose between my heart and my brain".