With one line of code at a time, I learned to trust myself.
I used to open my laptop and quietly ask myself a question.
Do I really belong here?
I was studying software engineering at university. Classmates seemed to have been coding for years. I had never written a line of code before I started.
Every class felt like a language I was still learning to speak. I nodded at every explanation. I understood about half. Okay, a third, maybe.
But inside, I was comparing my first steps to everyone else's finish line.
I believed I could do it.
Was I Good Enough?
I thought I fully knew why I chose tech. It is a fast-growing field. It offers a stable future. And it gives me the opportunity to solve problems for people.
But knowing why I chose tech didn't make me believe in myself.
I needed more than lectures. I needed a place that would build my confidence alongside my skills.
Lectures gave me knowledge. I was ready for a place where I could practise professionally, ask questions, and believe in myself.
Cheers to the Right Community
I first heard about SheCanCODE through my school. The programme is run by Igire Rwanda under Innovate4DigiJobs, and I decided to take the chance.
Then Web Fundamentals began, and my doubt returned louder than before. There were days I was ready to quit.
What kept me in the room was our facilitator and mentor, Raissa. She had started in Web Fundamentals too.
"If Raissa started here, then so could I."
Slowly, between my first projects and my first small wins, doubt turned into belief. I finally told myself: I have a future in this industry.
I wasn't alone anymore, and the relief I felt? It was like when the facilitator says, "Don't worry, this part confuses everyone. Now get yourself together."
No One Climbed Alone
Good learning materials, plus internet and data support, took away one of the biggest obstacles. I could focus fully on learning to code.
But the greatest gift was the people. We were all on the same steep climb. We debugged together, shared resources, and cheered each other on.
Nobody climbed alone.
Learning is easier when you do it together.
My 30-Minute Rule
Along the way, I made myself a simple rule.
When I got stuck, I gave myself 30 minutes to solve it alone, using logs and documentation. If the problem was still there, I asked my peers or mentors straight away.
"Asking for help is part of the craft."
The rule taught me to be independent and humble at the same time. And it saved me from hours of going in circles.
Why I Chose Java
At school, I built my backend foundation with JavaScript and Python. I enjoyed both. But I wanted to go deep in one language, so I chose Java.
It is strongly typed and object-oriented, and I knew it would sharpen my understanding of software architecture, memory management, and large business systems.
Today, in Advanced Backend, we go far beyond the basics. I work with Java, Git, and databases. I take simple web applications and rebuild them with stronger Java logic, tune their databases, and shape them to handle traffic.
What I'm Building Now
The moment it started to feel real.
The student who once doubted her place in tech is now building systems made for users' needs.
SheCanCODE gave me skills. It also changed what I believe is possible for me.
Advanced Backend runs until December, and I am not slowing down. Next, I'm looking forward to implementing the skills I have gained in businesses.
I also want to get more out of this programme by earning globally recognised certifications, like AWS. That could open the door to international opportunities.
Because my long-term plan is to become a Data Engineer. And strong backend and database skills are where that road begins.
I want to build the foundations that turn raw data into decisions and impact.
If You're Still Wondering Whether You Belong
You don't need to feel confident to begin. You only need to begin.
Confidence doesn't show up before the work. It grows during the work; with every bug you fix, every project you finish, and every person who tells you that you belong.
Raissa once told us she started where we started. One day, I hope to tell another girl the same thing: I started here too.
Find your community. Take the first step.
And when your code breaks, because it will, don't panic. That's not a sign to quit. That's just another Tuesday.
Keep building.
I asked, "Can I?" Today, my answer is: Watch me.
Why Community Matters
Confidence grows fastest when skills, mentorship, and a supportive community come together. Delucie's journey shows how Igire Rwanda builds communities that have each other's back, stay together, and support young women to move from doubt to direction and become builders of the future.