THE HISTORY OF SOMA LANGUES
How it all began
Soma Langues was born from a personal and identity quest. Olive Mahoro, the founder, was born in Rwanda, lived in Congo and Kenya and grew up in France. With time and travels, she gradually lost her childhood languages, Kinyarwanda and Swahili. In 2020, during the lockdown period, Olive decided to reconnect with her linguistic roots by asking her cousin to teach her Kinyarwanda via WhatsApp. This desire to relearn and share this language was the starting point of Soma Langues. Today, this project that began modestly has become a true community of learners and African language enthusiasts.
Our Mission
Our mission is simple but powerful: to reconnect individuals with their roots through learning African languages. We believe that each language carries a unique culture, history and identity. By preserving and teaching these languages, we offer everyone the opportunity to reconnect with their cultural heritage, while contributing to global linguistic diversity. Our commitment is to provide quality language education, adapted to all, in a framework that values authenticity and inclusivity.
OUR TEAM
The experts behind Soma Langues
“I want to warmly thank you for taking the time to discover Soma Langues. This project is very close to my heart and it's an honor to see so many people share our passion for African languages. Together, we contribute to preserving and spreading African cultures.”
Olive MAHOROCEO, Founder
Olive MAHORO
CEO, Founder
My name is Asmin KIMENYI. I was born in Rwanda and have lived my whole life in Kigali. I speak Kinyarwanda, French and English. I have a degree in tourism and hospitality management. I am a Kinyarwanda coach at Soma Langues. Will you come learn Kinyarwanda and Rwandan culture with me? Twagiye! (Let’s go!)
My name is Antoine NZANZU. I am Congolese and I spent my entire childhood until I was 18 years old in Congo. I live in Kigali, Rwanda for my university studies in software engineering. I grew up speaking Swahili at home. I am proud to teach Swahili at Soma Langues, to share my mother tongue. Come learn Swahili, so that we can be proud to speak it together. I’m waiting for you!
My name is Olive UMUHOZA. I have been teaching Kinyarwanda for 10 years to French and English speakers. I have had the opportunity to teach in numerous institutions in Rwanda to people of different nationalities who needed to learn Kinyarwanda for various reasons (work, studies, volunteering and diaspora). Today I teach at the University of Global Health Equity and I am Pedagogy Manager at Soma Langues. I believe it is essential for the diaspora to connect with all of their identities. In my profession, what guides me is that learning is different from one person to another, and at Soma Langues we take your uniqueness into account.
My name is Nadège BINWA. Obviously Rwandan, I live in Kigali. I am a student in logistics, procurement and supply chain management. I master Kinyarwanda, French and English. I am also a Kinyarwanda coach at Soma Langues. My goal is to teach you Kinyarwanda and help you discover Rwandan culture. Uriteguye? (Are you ready?)
I am Jonas MANIRAKIZA, a Burundian who lives in Bujumbura. I am a teacher of Kirundi and Swahili in secondary school and at Soma Langues. I am also an interpreter and translator for several organizations in these languages.
Swahili is spoken by more than 110 million people in East Africa and part of Central Africa. Imagine tomorrow we all speak Swahili!? Did you know that Swahili, Kirundi and Kinyarwanda are structured in the same way? Come to Soma Langues to discover this !
My name is Suprême NASIMIYU and I live in Nairobi. I hold a degree in education and have been teaching Swahili for 5 years. I am a French teacher at Alliance Française Nairobi for adults and Pedagogy Manager at Soma Langues.
I am passionate about education and particularly about transmitting Swahili, my native language. My passion for education goes beyond simple lessons: I firmly believe in the importance of a dynamic and innovative approach to inspire and motivate my students. My creativity and rigor allow me to develop captivating teaching methods that foster learning and discovery. I love exploring new cultures, especially African ones, and sharing my love for African languages. Each day is an opportunity for me to learn something new and broaden my horizons. If you are interested in languages, pedagogy or Swahili culture, I would be delighted to connect and exchange about our common passions. Looking forward to connecting with you!
My name is Mélissa IKIREZI. I am Rwandan and I live in Kigali. I am pursuing a degree in software engineering, and I am also a Kinyarwanda coach at Soma Langues. It is an honor for me to be able to help people learn my language. I look forward to sharing with you the subtleties and beauty of Kinyarwanda through our dynamic courses. Join me for this beautiful linguistic adventure!
OUR VALUES
Soma Langues is guided by fundamental values that drive every aspect of our work. These values are at the heart of our commitment to our students and the community.
Integrity
We are committed to offering authentic and honest teaching, respectful of the cultures and languages we teach.
Passion for Education
We believe that learning is a continuous journey and we are passionate about sharing knowledge.
Community Engagement
We value human interactions and community spirit, encouraging exchange and mutual support.
Cultural Authenticity
We take pride in teaching languages in their cultural context, for deep and respectful understanding.
IMPACT AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT
Giving back to the community
Soma Langues doesn’t just teach languages, we are also committed to having a positive impact on local communities. We collaborate with local teachers and artisans to create economic opportunities while promoting African cultures. Additionally, part of our revenue is reinvested in community initiatives aimed at supporting education and local development in Africa.
JOIN THE SOMA LANGUES COMMUNITY
Don't let language barriers hold you back anymore.
Whether you want to learn Kinyarwanda, Swahili or Kirundi, Soma Langues is here to guide you. Sign up now for a free trial lesson and begin your linguistic journey with dedicated experts.
