2008 Opus Prize Winner: Marguerite "Maggy" Barankitse

Marguerite "Maggy" Barankitse was witness to an unimaginable event that forever changed her life. On Oct. 24, 1993, Barankitse was working for the Catholic bishop of Ruyigi, in eastern Burundi, Africa, when ethnic Tutsis stormed the bishops residence, killing 72 Hutus. Amid the chaos and confusion, Barankitse managed to save 25 children and, driven by hope, thoughts of peace and a calling straight from God, set out to provide a safe haven for the youngest survivors of unspeakable violence.

What began in 1993 as a home for the 25 orphaned children who survived the attack, Maison Shalom—or "House of Peace"—has grown into a multi-functional service agency helping heal and support 30,000 young people and families.

Only recently emerging from more than 12 years of civil war between the Tutsis and Hutus that left 300,000 dead, Burundi is healing. In order to care for the many children affected by the conflict in Burundi, Barankitse and her team operate "children villages." These 500 small houses throughout the country, including in the capital of Bujumbura, provide children the support and nurturing they need by reintegrating them with loving families. Early in 2008, Maison Shalom achieved another goal and opened a hospital in Burundi.

The focus of Barankitse's work and Maison Shalom is to change the lives of children and ultimately better the lives of all Burundians. Based on their successful efforts, the model is now spreading, with outreach and aid to children in Rwanda and the Congo currently underway.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• opus
• prize
• opusprize
• Maison
• Shalom
• Barankitse
• Burundi
• Africa
• humanitarian
• award
• faith
• poverty
• illiteracy
• hunger
• disease
• injustice

[yeboyeboh]

FIGURE TRES TUTSI. OK ! CELA NE VEUT RIEN DIRE A L'ECHELLE DU MONDE. A L'ECHELLE DU BURUNDI ET DE LA REGION, C'EST AUTRE CHOSE. LA-BAS UN TUTSI SE RECONNAIT DE LOIN. MAGGY PORTE LE "DELIT DE FACIES". PBM: MAGGY N'A PAS D'ENFANTS("Ntazi igicuro mu nda"). ELLE N'A PAS FAIT VOEU DE CHASTETE DANS UNE CONGREGATION RELIG.. CE GENRE DE FEMMES "LIBRES" NE PEUVENT PAS TOUCHER LES ENFANTS DES AUTRES. C'EST LA LOI ANCIENNE DES TUTSI. PCQU'ON LES DIT MAUDITES PAR LEURS ANCETRES. DEMANDEZ-LUI, ELLE LE SAIT.

[bjm6345original]

Incredible example of turning tragedy into triumph

[NAZINYC1]

Maggy you are a great example of humanity. My God Almighty be with you and guide you on your journey, as the Child of God. and love you have for the others. GOD BLESS YOU.

[bjm6345original]

Incredible example of what one person is capable of doing to help so many

[Bebeismee]

God can give one person the strength to change the world! Beautiful!

[JubileeGreenery]

Maggy is a true servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Aline Nembisha is a beautiful woman with a loving, forgiving heart! Praise God for this ministry!

[carlostijos]

Muryame Hello This is your friend Thierry from France.

[mimster96]

This woman came to my school the other day, she is amazing! she is an inspiration to the world!

[iceprincessfm]

this is an extrordinary woman