At least 300 young people are being transformed into responsible citizens through integrity building, unity, civic education, Ndi Umunyarwanda ideology, and talent development. These youths come from vulnerable backgrounds exposed to drug abuse, early sexual exposure, street life, genocide ideology, and school dropouts. Many were once trapped in the worst living conditions with little hope for the present or the future. However, they have been given a second chance to reshape their lives and are now emerging as responsible citizens and champions of positive change within their communities. This group is part of the Yolande Mukagasana Foundation, founded by Yolande Mukagasana, a writer, historian, researcher and survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, who lost her husband and children during the tragedy. Despite the pain and traumatic memories, Mukagasana sought to transform her suffering into a powerful purpose of reshaping the future of Rwanda, starting with children from Nyarugati I Cell, Kanazi Village, Nyamata Sector, in Bugesera District. Most of these children had lost hope for the future, largely due to family challenges, irresponsible parenting, trauma and the spread of negative ideologies within their households and community. ALSO READ: Fighting genocide, a responsibility to take at all cost, says genocide survivor Yolande Mukagasana Mukagasana's foundation is a non-governmental organization dedicated to combating all forms of genocide ideology, especially denial and revisionism of the Genocide against the Tutsi, while promoting peace, unity, and reconciliation. It conducts research and organizes conferences and seminars on genocide in collaboration with national and international partners, works to establish a Garden of the Righteous of the World in Rwanda, and strives to build a better world for all. 'The love in me had completely died' Rameck Maniraguha, 40, a trainer with the Foundation, was exposed to drug abuse from the age of eight. His childhood experiences during the liberation struggle and the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi led to trauma, pushing him into street life and criminal behavior. He spent much of his life on the streets, living in despair and without hope, before his transformation. “When Inkotanyi soldiers attacked in 1990, my home was in the former Kiyombe Commune in Mukarange, at the border between Rwanda and Uganda,” Maniraguha recalled. He described traumatic experiences he had when he had fled with ex-FAR soldiers, who would go on killing sprees. My life lost direction,” he said, adding that he battle alcohol addiction and unruly behaviour. “I can’t even count how many times I was sent to rehabilitation centers, and I have been to almost all correctional facilities in the country. My record is a long roster, and all of this was due to drug abuse. I have used all kinds of drugs, including 26 types of marijuana,” he explained. “The love in me had completely died. My life was miserable until I met Mama Yolande, who restored me and welcomed me with incredible love I had never experienced before,” Maniraguha said. “That is where I slowly began to change and became convinced that I could draw lessons from my past and be a positive example to young people who are tempted to follow the same path I once took.” He described how very lucky these children are that it is not too late for them. We teach them that drugs do not give energy; instead, they destroy it, weaken the mind, create dependency, and offer false hope for survival. That is why those who tolerate drugs often end up in poverty. I teach them by using my own life as an example,” he added. ALSO READ: Alexis Kagame, Bigirumwami, Mukagasana receive lifetime literary awards The sticking issues The foundation still pushes to get rid ethnic labels, which prevent members of the community from living a harmonious life and sharing a sense of national identity. On the other hand, teenage pregnancy and parental irresponsibility remain serious concerns. Some parents abandon their children, while others exploit them for sex trafficking. These issues contribute to early pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, chronic alcoholism, the rise of street children, poverty, and many related social problems. When we started in 2024, the children had no sense of unity; there was a lot of tribalism, Maniraguha said. “After we taught them that in the Foundation there is no Twa, Hutu, or Tutsi, some could not understand this concept and never returned. However, the other who were committed have since changed and are now leading positive change as responsible citizens.” ALSO READ: Teachers must lead from the front in fighting genocide ideology Better upbringing and education for all Mukagasana said her life has been nothing short of miracles, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose, dedicated to leaving behind a country very different from the one before 1994, when many young people, especially street children and illiterate youth were at the forefront of killings, mobilization, and other destructive acts, which did not spare her own relatives during the Genocide. “Those young people who were killing were like the ones we see today. They were manipulated, just as today’s youth could be in the future if nothing is done. The best time is now, to stand up, show them better paths, and guide them toward a promising future,” she explained, on December 27, when her foundation awarded the best-performing students at “My experience motivated me to start shaping a generation free from hatred, division, and tribalism, so that they cannot fall into the same trap. I cannot even imagine that kind of Rwanda again—never. We grew up with the same mistakes, and we ended up as victims,” she added. ALSO READ: How vulnerable children are reintegrated into families Mukagasana, born in 1954 in Huye District, Southern Province, noted that while genocide ideology was taught in her time, values such as love, unity, patriotism, and civic engagement are now taught for the better future of Rwanda. At the Foundation, every child receives school fees, lunch, and coaching, twice a week during the academic term and every day during holidays, to deepen their understanding of civic duties. “I urge irresponsible parents who push their children into street life, prostitution, family conflicts, school dropouts, and negative ideology to reflect. We must ask ourselves: what kind of citizens are we raising? What kind of country do we want to leave behind? How can we reduce trauma for our children? We can succeed, but only by working together,” she said. Denise Muhawenimana, a Primary Six student, said she had lived on the streets for two years after her father was jailed. “I was lucky I didn’t get pregnant. It was too risky. My life was heading toward a bitter chapter, but now I have a chance to pursue a better and promising life,” she said. Angel Irasubiza, 16, ended up on the streets after dropping out of school. His parents separated and he was forced to live on the streets, even relocating to Uganda, before being brought back. “I’ve been to rehabilitation centers many times, but I didn’t learn anything there until I was enrolled in the foundation's programme. I’m now in Primary Five, learning a lot about civic education. Parents should be close to their children. I’m committed and will remain focused on a better future,” Irasubiza said.
