Musabyimana gives vulnerable children, elderly ray of hope

Albert Musabyimana, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, is the brains behind the Peace and Hope Initiative in Kinyinya, Gasabo District. He founded the Kuraneza Early Childhood Development that currently sponsors 120 vulnerable children to get pre-school education and has helped eight families of elderly women to access clean water. I recently had an opportunity to visit Kuraneza Early Childhood Development pre-school at Peace and Hope Initiative in Kinyinya, Gasabo District. I found the kids jovially playing in the compound, perhaps, after spending a couple of hours in class. Thanks to Albert Musabyimana, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who founded the initiative, the centre caters for underprivileged children aged 3 to 6 years. Musabyimana is helping needy elderly women to access clean tap water. Lydia Atieno Musabyimana was born in 1978 in Kamonyi District. He was 16 years old during the 1994 Genocide. Sadly, his two younger sisters and he were the only ones who survived the Genocide in the whole family. Being the eldest among his siblings, he was forced to take the role of parenting. Musabyimana recalls that life was tough as he had to attend school while at the same time taking care of his siblings. He says they relied on well wishers and that there were days they went without food. However, in 2005, Lady Luck struck and he was selected among other child-headed families to receive free housing as part of an initiative to support Rwandan youth who were greatly affected by the 1994 Genocide through the Survivors Fund (SURF). “I was grateful to SURF because it came to my rescue. I was able to own a house, as well as finishing my studies at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, where I graduated with a degree in electronic and communication engineering,” he notes. The children taking break tea. Inspiration Musabyimana says it was the harsh past experience that inspired him to extend his kindness to vulnerable kids, single mothers and elderly people in 2012. “I felt that I had to do something that could help my people break free from the poverty cycle in which they had been trapped since the 1950s when our parents were not allowed to go to school due to genocide ideology,” he says. Musabyimana decided to start a Peace and Hope Initiative to better the lives of vulnerable children. “I started with 48 children picked from child-headed households,” he explains. In January 2013, Musabyimana opened his arms to more underprivileged children under the ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda programme’ and currently has now 120 children. Musabyimana dances with the children at Kuraneza Early Childhood Development pre-school. “Most of the children are highly vulnerable, parentless or with a single or young mother. I felt it was good to give them the foundation an education to prepare them for face the future,” he says. Musabyimana adds that as a person who has reaped the benefits of education, he opted to help the less fortunate children through education as it’s the key to everything. He says when a child attends school, especially the girl child, it reduces her chances of getting unwanted pregnancies and contracting HIV/AIDS. “Vulnerability always results into unwanted pregnancies due to poverty. If only they got basic necessities like education, such kids would survive this challenge,” he says. Whereas Peace and Hope Initiative offers pre-school education, Musibyimana continues to support the extremely vulnerable children through primary school. He also tracks children who have graduated from the school to know how they are fairing so he may help in case they are still facing challenges. The children having a lesson. (All photos by Lydia Atieno) A hand to the elderly Musibyimana’s kindness doesn’t stop at children, but extends to needy elderly women, especially the survivors of the Genocide, whom he helps access clean water with support from Equity Bank. “We provide clean water to the whole of Kinyinya community, but mostly, within the homes of old women who are unable to go fetch water and those living with HIV/AIDS,” he says. Plans Peace and Hope Initiative plans to expand its Kuraneza centre to be able to enroll more children who still don’t have that chance to attend pre-school. “I am planning on providing care for over 400 vulnerable children who are still at home and their parents don’t have plans of enrolling them in school,” says Musabyimana. editorial@newtimes.co.rw ********************************************* What other people say about him Lionel Mukashem, a parent at Kuraneza pre-school Lionel Mukashem I thank God for Musabyimana because without him my two children would still be at home. The father of my children disappeared as soon as I got the second child. I am grateful to Peace and Hope Initiative for coming to my rescue. Joseph Mugisha, a shop attendant in Kinyinya Joseph Mugisha At first, I used to see a lot of kids roaming around the village. But ever since the school was introduced in the area, it’s rare to see them. Musabyimana’s initiative is an indication that Rwandans can elevate their lives if they sacrifice a little more to improve their communities. Jeanette Mukashemana, a Gasabo resident Jeanette Mukashemana Peace and Hope Initiative has helped our children to get basic education. Many children from Kinyinya would still be at home if it wasn’t for this school. I would like to urge other people who have the ability to help others, to emulate Musabyimana. Mary Uwamahoro, a worker at Kuraneza School Mary Uwamahoro I have two children and one of them is now in primary school after graduating here at Kuraneza. Musabyimana employed me as a cleaner and enrolled my kids here. As a single mother, I am now able to cater for my family without difficulties. Alloys Rurantije, Kinyinya resident Alloys Rurantije Manyt single mothers have benefited from Musabyimana’s initiative since 2013. I think people of more means should follow his example and be willing to help others who are not able. Compiled By Lydia Atieno

Education

Musabyimana gives vulnerable children, elderly ray of hope