Seraphine Wibabara

My name is Seraphine Wibabara, daughter of Emmanuel Mubiligi and Josephine Mukandezi. I was born in 1984, and am the youngest of 6 children in my family. We were five girls and one boy. All except one were killed in 1994 genocide.

I was born in the province of Kibungo, in the city of Rwamagana. My dad was an entrepreneur and my mother was a farmer. After my father died in 1984, we moved to the Bugesera region in the province of Kigali-Ngalia. I was six months old. I never had a chance to get to know my dad, to see him or to touch him. I only saw a photo of him once.

Sadly, my mother was killed in the 1992 genocide in the Bugesera region. I was 7 years old. I could not understand how one person could kill another. People wanted to kill me too. But my time had not come yet. I still thank my Lord for this, but they beat me very badly on the back.

After my mother's death, my siblings and I were taken in as refugees at the Church of Nyamata. The Red Cross then put my elder sister and me in an orphanage, because we were still young. Friar Josheph Minghetti (an Italian) adopted us. He had envisaged adopting orphans and children who had suffered catastrophe. The four others were divided between my mother's relatives. Then, my oldest sister was killed in the 1994 genocide. I did not want to live any more, but little by little, I found peace in knowing that there were other orphans who shared my struggles.

In 1995, many of the children who had been injured in the genocide were sent to Italy for treatment. Others were sent back to their extended families or to orphanages like the Memorial Center of Gisimba. An elder sister and I joined another sister who lived alone. Then I passed the state examination to enter secondary school. The first year of secondary school I continued to succeed. I was in good health. I also loved to study because I wanted to be intelligent. Sometimes I was the first in my class. I wanted to continue on to university to become a strong person. I was very happy and the sorrow began to disappear.

The Fund for Genocide Survivors (FARG) paid for my secondary school studies. At this time, I lived with my elder sister in Nyamata. I wanted to choose nursing as my option for my final 3 years of secondary school. However, many students wanted to do nursing, so I chose my next option, which was forestry. I was interested in forestry because I had lived in a region where droughts and soil problems were common. I wanted to address these problems in the future.

In secondary school, I enjoyed biology, math and forest protection. Outside of my secondary school studies, I knew some people who planted trees to benefit the environment, and I participated in that. I also did chores in the house, like looking after my sister's baby. Luckily, I was able to find a balance between studying and working.

During secondary school, I always had the hope of getting a job and making money to help my sister. I knew that studying was important so I could make something of my future. At the end of secondary school, I did not think I would have the chance to continue on to university. When I returned to Nyamata, other orphans there suggested that I apply for a scholarship with ORI. I applied and was successful.

I currently study agro-forestry as a second year student at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. I am learning more about environmental issues, as well as practical skills such as how to analyze soil and use a microscope to look at problems in plants. I would also like to learn how to make land terraces.

After university, I plan to go to my home area of Bugesera to address environmental problems there. I hope to get a job with the Rwandan Institute of Scientific Agronomy (ISAR).

I would suggest that other orphans be patient, study hard, pray and respect everybody. I would also tell them to have goals for the future. I believe that Rwanda will be a peaceful country in 10 - 15 years. There will be more advanced technology and a better economy.

I thank my God, who still lends me life. I also thank my older sister who adopted me and helped me in everything and all the other people who have helped me. May God bless you all.