When Josephine Murebwayire spoke, she carried the quiet strength of someone who had survived unimaginable loss yet refused to let grief define her life.

To those who knew her, she was more than a survivor; she was a mother figure, a mentor, and a source of hope for countless others navigating life after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Her life was a testament to resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to community.

Murebwayire lost her husband, and all six of her children during the Genocide. Out of a family of nine, only she and her mother survived.

Despite this unimaginable tragedy, she devoted her life to helping others, transforming her grief into a mission to support widows, orphans, and elderly survivors, who had lost everything.

Murebwayire passed away on October 5, aged 72. She will be laid to rest today, October 11.

A life forged in unimaginable loss

Murebwayire’s story is inseparable from Rwanda’s tragic past. Despite losing her entire family, her story of survival is one that inspired many.

Yet, even after enduring a trauma so immense it would break many, she transformed her grief into compassion, becoming a pillar for thousands of survivors navigating the difficult path of recovery and dignity.

Her life before the genocide was marked by simplicity and family warmth, yet those years of normalcy were abruptly shattered.

Murebwayire hid during the genocide, witnessed the murder of loved ones, and later undertook the painful task of searching for their remains, all while grappling with her own survival.

Despite this, she emerged with a remarkable commitment to forgiveness, reconciliation, and community service—a commitment that would define the rest of her life.

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Starting Humura Nturi Wenyine

In 2012, Murebwayire founded Humura Nturi Wenyine, a support group for elderly genocide survivors, especially those who had lost their families, known as Ababyeyi b’Intwaza. Based in Kigali, the group provides a space for healing, connection, and dignity, advocating for access to healthcare, housing, and emotional support.

What began as a small gathering of survivors quickly grew to about 60 members, each finding comfort in Murebwayire’s leadership and vision.

Dancilla Mukandoli, one of the early leaders who worked closely with Murebwayire, recalls the meticulous care and courage she demonstrated in organising survivors.

"Murebwayire was always selfless,” Mukandoli says in an interview with The New Times. "Even when she had suffered deeply herself, she devoted every effort to identifying who needed help, visiting them personally, and ensuring that no survivor felt abandoned.

She would put aside her own grief to care for others, and that was the foundation of Humura Nturi Wenyine.”

Mukandoli remembers how the first step was always understanding the scope of the survivors’ challenges. "We went door to door, at the sector level, to list widows and orphans,” she explains.

"Murebwayire was at the forefront, helping us verify information and establish committees to reach everyone effectively,” she said. "Many survivors had deep psychological wounds; some had physical wounds, others had been raped, and some were left entirely alone.”

"Murebwayire never flinched from these realities. She insisted that we first understand their pain before attempting to provide support,” Mukandoli said.

A model of patience, empathy, and courage

Valerie Mukabayire, another colleague and former leader of AVEGA Agahozo, the association of Genocide widows, also recalls Murebwayire’s tireless dedication. "What struck me most was her boundless empathy,” Mukabayire says.

"She knew the struggles of every member, remembered their names, visited them in their homes, and prayed with them,” she said.

"Even when the scale of need seemed overwhelming, she never hesitated to act. She was a living example of perseverance, patience, and selfless love,” she added.

Murebwayire’s approach to leadership was holistic. She believed that helping survivors required more than material support; it also demanded emotional care and spiritual guidance. Mukabayire explains how Murebwayire made time to pray for others.

"She prayed with parents, she counseled them, she comforted those who were alone,” she said. "She truly made time for people, no matter how busy she was.”

"She would arrange gatherings where survivors could share their grief, learn from one another, and support each other,” she added. "She taught us that community healing is as essential as healthcare or housing assistance.”

From local impact to national recognition

Beyond Humura Nturi Wenyine, Murebwayire also made her mark in the wider survivor community.

She served as Vice-President of AVEGA Agahozo, helping shape programmes that offered social, psychological, and economic support to thousands of genocide survivors.

Her courage, humility, and unwavering commitment to service earned her respect not just among survivors but across the country.

Mukandoli recalls that even in these broader roles, Murebwayire remained grounded in her personal experiences. "She never lost touch with the pain she had endured,” she says.

"She could not forget, nor did she pretend to. But she used her suffering to guide her actions—always putting the needs of others first. That is what made her such a remarkable leader.

Forgiveness and reconciliation

Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of Murebwayire’s journey was her capacity to forgive.

Despite losing her entire family, she visited some of the perpetrators in prison, urging them to reconcile with God and seek atonement.

Her acts of forgiveness were not about erasing pain; they were about creating a path forward for survivors and society at large.

Mukabayire emphasises that Murebwayire’s example taught them all that strength does not always manifest through vengeance, but through grace, understanding, and commitment to rebuilding community ties.

Responding to ongoing needs

The challenges facing survivors were immense. Many were living with disabilities and trauma.

Murebwayire prioritised both immediate relief and long-term sustainability. She organised medical support, sometimes for injuries dating back to the Genocide itself.

She coordinated food and housing assistance and established peer support systems that allowed survivors to care for one another.

Mukandoli recounts one vivid example: "In Kigali alone, Murebwayire identified more than 60 survivors who were most vulnerable. She would personally ensure they received medical care, comfort, and companionship,” she said.

"She founded a group and called it ‘Humura Nturi Wenyine’ (Don’t worry, you are not alone), which meant more than just a name. It was a philosophy,” she explained. "The members were never left to fend for themselves. The group even extended outreach into the provinces, ensuring that no survivor was neglected.”

Inspiring leadership through faith and love

Both Mukandoli, and Mukabayire highlight Murebwayire’s deep spiritual grounding. She was known to pray regularly, both individually and with survivors, seeking divine guidance in her work.

Her faith was coupled with an extraordinary capacity for love; long-term, patient, and consistent. "She had a love that was almost tangible,” Mukabayire says.

"People felt it when she was around. That is why the members of Humura Nturi Wenyine not only followed her guidance—they trusted her with their hearts.”

Legacy and lessons for the future

Murebwayire’s life leaves a profound legacy. Humura Nturi Wenyine remains a living testament to her vision, helping survivors maintain dignity and community more than a decade after its founding.

Her method combined emotional support, advocacy, and practical aid, which offer a blueprint for social care that goes beyond simple charity.

Her colleagues also stress the importance of her example for future leaders. Mukandoli notes, "Murebwayire taught us that leadership is not about recognition or authority. It is about empathy, consistency, and putting the welfare of others before your own. That is how communities heal.”

Mukabayire adds, "Her resilience and capacity for forgiveness remind us that even in the darkest moments, we can act with grace and help restore hope.”

Remembering Murebwayire

Murebwayire passed away leaving behind a country bettered by her work, and a survivor community strengthened by her guidance and compassion.

Organisations such as Unity Club Intwararumuri mourned her as a pioneer, highlighting her tireless efforts for Genocide survivors. She is remembered not only for her organisational achievements but also for her personal courage, her unwavering empathy, and her enduring faith.

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Her colleagues’ reflections paint a picture of a woman who converted personal tragedy into a lifetime of service. From founding Humura Nturi Wenyine, to leading initiatives for survivors in Kigali and the provinces, to inspiring forgiveness and reconciliation, Murebwayire’s life was a testament to the power of resilience, love, and human dignity.

A light for generations to come

The stories from survivors, colleagues, and friends all converge on one central truth: Murebwayire was more than a survivor; she was a guiding light.

Her vision of community care, her empathy, and her unwavering courage continue to inspire. The structures she built, the lives she touched, and the example she set ensure that her legacy will endure for generations.

As the country continues to heal and grow, Murebwayire’s life reminds all who encounter her story that even in the aftermath of unimaginable tragedy, it is possible to create hope, restore dignity, and lead others toward a future filled with compassion, resilience, and love.

Her name, her work, and her spirit remain etched in the hearts of the survivors she served and the country she helped rebuild. Humura Nturi Wenyine stands today as a living monument to her vision: no survivor is alone, and no one’s pain is ignored.