Adoption

Mukayiranga Verena is speaking with two of her adopted sons, Mugisha Gabriel and Sharangabo Jean de Dieu. She tells stories of her struggles with discrimination between the different ethnicities and how there was nothing but love between all Rwandese people before the colonists arrived. Verena shares how she lived in paralyzing fear during the war saying “I could not sleep well; I would think that people would come to kill us.” Despite being traumatized by her experiences she overcame her fear and shares her story with her sons.

When a large number of children were orphaned by the genocide, it became difficult for many of them to find people to replace their families and get advice from. Twahirwa Deborah tells Tuyishimire Florence the ways orphans can see love and comfort in the world so they can hope for a brighter future, and how all Rwandans must forget about their differences and become one family.

Although Gashumba Yves Fabrice and longs for a peaceful future, he still has a hard time forgiving those involved in the genocide and fears the resurgence of conflict. His friend Umazikungu Beatrice reminds him that kindness toward everyone is the best way to prove that Rwanda can move forward, and it is better to be remembered for acts of kindness rather than the brief satisfaction of taking revenge and being remembered for evil.

Muyisenge Onaan wants to learn about his family history and the stories his parents passed down to his older sister, Mukakayange Veronique. Mukakayange Veronique recalls the loss of their mother in a violent bombing, finding a way to build a relationship through song, and forgiveness. By discussing the manner in which they personally survived hardship, Muyisenge Onaan and Mukakayange Veronique imagine solutions for a peaceful future for Rwanda.

"There is a proverb in Kinyarwanda which says 'A good neighbor is better than a distant relative'." Mukakayange Veronique

Stories For Hope created a forum for elders to inspire the youth; at least that’s what Mukakarangwa Judith and Karangwa Nadia expected when they accepted to share their story. In this story however, the roles reversed as an elder found encouragement and inspiration from her niece and adopted child who tries to point out how children now play together in Rwanda, even as their own parents were once enemies.

“I think that my child’s view has challenged even me.” Mukakarangwa Judith

Nyinawabagesera Amandine wants to share some of her life stories, both good and bad, with her friend Uwimana Jean Claude so that he can learn from her example. After being orphaned by the genocide, Nyinawabagesera Amandine risked going to school without supplies. There, she overcame many challenges associated with depression, drugs, and alcohol through the support of friends and her faith. Nyinawabagesera Amandine says she is inspired by the people around her and resolves to help other orphans like herself who have almost lost all hope.

Gahongaire Emelda decided to become a pastor after witnessing the love for God that her grandfather had. After the genocide, she decided to serve God by helping orphans, and she adopted Manirakiza Jean de Dieu, who she considers to be her own son. Manirakiza Jean de Dieu has many important questions about the causes of the genocide, and Gahongaire Emelda patiently answers him and gives him advice. She tells him that the most important thing is to love God and fight against anything that could lead to genocide again.