Kigali: the Maggy Barankitse Foundation now operational in Rwanda

After the United States and Belgium, the Maggy Barankitse Foundation will now be operational in Rwanda. The announcement was made on Monday, March 24, during a convivial evening held at the headquarters of Maison Shalom, an organization founded by Marguerite Barankitse, an iconic humanitarian figure in the Great Lakes region of Africa and the first recipient of the $1 million Aurora Prize in the United States.
INFO SOS Médias Burundi
Marguerite Barankitse is a woman of conviction and resilience.
Born in Burundi in 1956, Marguerite Barankitse, affectionately known as « Oma » (grandmother in German), is a humanitarian activist recognized for her commitment to orphaned children, victims of war, and vulnerable populations. A devout Christian, she tirelessly advocates love and forgiveness as transformative forces in society.
Her commitment began in 1993, in the midst of the Burundian civil war. While working at the Ruyigi bishopric, she witnessed ethnic massacres between Hutus and Tutsis. Shocked by the horror, she saved 25 children by hiding them, thus laying the foundation stone of Maison Shalom, an organization dedicated to the care and education of orphans.
With courage and determination, she gradually expanded her work, providing shelter and a future for tens of thousands of children and young people. Her philosophy is based on a simple but powerful idea : « Love always triumphs over hate. »
A foundation serving children and youth in distress
Since its creation, Maison Shalom has assisted at least 47,000 children around the world, including 7,000 in 2024, according to Emery Emerimana, the organization’s country director. This organization has established orphanages, schools, vocational training centers, and even a hospital, the Rema Center, which cares for sick or injured children.

Marguerite Barankitse with members of a family who came from Luxembourg to make a donation to Maison Shalom, Aimable Ndarishize
During her speech, Marguerite Barankitse reaffirmed her commitment with a sentence dear to her :
« Today, we celebrate the victory of love over hate. »
She compared her work to a « contagious madness, » hoping that this passion for helping others would spread everywhere.
Recalling the difficult beginnings of her project, she spoke of the time when she welcomed 250 orphans without sufficient financial resources or adequate infrastructure. Quoting Nelson Mandela, she emphasized the importance of education:
« Education is a powerful weapon to transform the world into paradise. »
A personal battle against illness
In addition to her humanitarian work, Marguerite Barankitse has also fought a personal battle against illness. She revealed that she overcame cancer, finding strength in the love she has for the children she helps.
« In the emergency room, I was prevented from working, but every time I saw the images of those children, I found strength, » she confided.
She concluded with words of resilience inspired by Scripture :
« O death, where is your sting? Hell, where is your victory? »
Forced exile and thanks in Rwanda
In 2015, in the aftermath of the failed coup d’état against President Pierre Nkurunziza, Marguerite Barankitse was forced into exile. The ruling regime accused her of supporting the insurgents. Her property was confiscated, her organization was banned, and she was forced to flee to Rwanda, where she found refuge.
Today, she expresses her gratitude to Rwanda, a country that allowed her to continue her work :
« I would not be here as a dignified person if our Rwandan brothers and sisters had not welcomed us, not as refugees, but as brothers and sisters. »
She also sent a message to Rwandan President Paul Kagame, expressing her gratitude :
« I know there are some here who can see it; please tell him that we are very grateful that he allowed us to remain dignified. »
International support for Maison Shalom
The evening ended on a moving note with the presentation of a donation by a family from Luxembourg, in tribute to a deceased loved one who wished to support humanitarian projects in Africa.
The guests, including a representative of the Maggy Barankitse Foundation in the United States, parted ways to the rhythm of Burundian drums, an art form listed as a World Heritage Site.
Marguerite Barankitse remains a key figure in the humanitarian work in Africa. Her work transcends borders and inspires many changemakers around the world.
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Marguerite Barankitse and Emery Emerimana during the evening of March 24 in the city of Kigali in Rwanda, Aimable Ndarishize