It Takes Only One:” If we want to change the world, let’s start by changing the life of a child.” By: N. Amma Twum-Baah
When genocide diminishes a country to ruins, it is usually women and children who suffer the most; and who bear the brunt of the worst atrocities one could ever imagine. Usually, these women and children have very little to aspire to, except to hope and pray that they will live to see another day of survival. It not only becomes a war of physical survival, but a war of mental and spiritual survival; hope for answered prayers and the appearance of kind strangers willing to lend a helping hand. Many times, the call for help is answered – by foreigners. For the women and children in Rwanda, the hope they never saw coming happened to be one of their own. She looks like them, she speaks their language, she knows their pain, she understands their grief, and she relates to their stories. That person is Floriane Robins-Brown. Although she had swore never to set foot in her own country after the genocide, little did she know that God would call her back to help a country she admits she had come to “literally despise because of its horrific past. While some people turn personal tragedy into excuses to wallow in self-pity, some turn tragedy and bad experiences into life lessons. That’s just what Floriane decided to do. After holding several career positions – News Broadcasting on Rwandan National Radio, teaching English at the U.S embassy in Rwanda, freelance work and several others – she heeded her true calling to help the people of Rwanda and began pursuing her dream five years ago. Floriane Robins-Brown was born in Bujumbura, Burundi in 1958. Her parents, both originally from Rwanda, had immigrated to Burundi. Floriane grew up in a large family of half brothers and sisters, and step-siblings. As a young child, it was difficult for her to comprehend the constant abuse meted out to her by the woman she thought at the time was her biological mother. At the age of eight, Floriane discovered the truth - that her biological mother was alive and living in Burundi. Resolving to be reunited with her, Floriane was finally able to meet her mother at the age of eighteen. Her mother died ten years after their reunion. The pain of an abusive stepmother, and the abandonment she felt from her biological mother, awakened in Floriane a “passion to help parentless children,” which would lead her to make the biggest decision of her life. Floriane’s dream was “fully awakened” in May 2004 when she attended a conference in Dayton, Ohio. This, she said, happened while she listened to the story of an Indian speaker who shared a vision she had to build an orphanage in India. Floriane found herself taking in every word, and as she put it, the words she heard “spoke to her spirit.” In October of that same year, Nibakure Children’s Village (NCV), was incorporated in the state of Minnesota. By the end of December 2004, the board of directors, “consisting of well-credentialed individuals,” was put in place and held its first meeting. By July 2005, NCV received its 501c3 tax-exempt status. In August 2006; the organization was also registered in Rwanda as an International NGO. Almost four years later, NCV began the first phase of construction – a vision of hope and promise for parentless children. Nibakure Children’s Village which had been a dream on paper is slowly becoming a reality. Once completed, Nibakure Children’s Village will be a “holistic and integrated village, which will include 15 homes, a primary/ secondary school, a clinic, a multi-purpose auditorium, a house of worship, vocational schools, and recreational facilities.” The village is being built on 23 acres of land donated to NCV by the Rwandan government. Now in Phase I (there are four phases in all to complete the project), the village is making progress with the construction of three children’s homes and a pavilion. Each home will house 10 orphans, and 2 widows who will raise the children. This phase also includes a basketball court and a soccer field. The village project is resourced with a dedicated team of volunteers who, according to Floriane, “have dedicated their time and resources to the cause.” The phase also includes the completion of a soccer field. Floriane, who holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology, is not ill-prepared to know the challenges she is likely to face dealing with the future occupants of Nibakure Children’s Village. The widows will receive intense training needed to raise these psychologically wounded children, and will receive vocational training for themselves. The village will have its own fully equipped clinic to meet the physical and psychological needs of the children and their foster mothers (the widows). Floriane is hoping the village will not only benefit the widows, children and the surrounding communities in a physical way, but also in a spiritual and emotional way: “I am hoping that all who will be involved in this organization will have a heart for humankind; no more no less. Our task is to help the children grow into loving, responsible citizens of Rwanda. The name “Nibakure” means “let them grow, give them hope.” But, such an enormous dream comes with a hefty price tag! Many times, such price tags are not only monetary, but energy and time consuming. Nibakure Children’s Village currently relies on the kindness of others who are willing and able to lend a helping hand, as well as donations from family and friends who believe in the cause. A huge sum of Floriane’s personal savings has also been invested in the village. With two adult children in college, coupled with the recent economic downturn, one can only ask: “why keep going?” But, one must know that Floriane Robins-Brown is not a quitter! She has an inner strength that comes from her belief in God. Everything she does is based on her faith. That’s what keeps her hope and dream alive for the children of Rwanda. Of course, a dream that fickle out and dies down the road crushes the spirits of all involved. This is why part of the plan the creation of a for-profit business venture, owned and operated by NVC, designed to allow the village to sustain itself over the years. Eventually, NCV hopes to expand to other locations to benefit other children in Rwanda and its neighboring countries. Floriane has taken several trips to Rwanda to personally oversee the progress of the project. In May and July of this year, Floriane and a team of people traveled to Rwanda to witness the birth of the village. Nibakure hopes that the first widows and children will move into their new homes early next year (2010). However, before that can happen, the homes will need to be furnished. In support of this goal, Nibakure Children’s Village will be having a fundraiser on Saturday, November 7, 2009 at Temple Israel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Floriane and her team hope to raise the needed funds, as well as to spread the word about the existence of the village. “Raising funds will be an ongoing effort. It takes a village to build a village.” Floriane is earnestly hoping a number of people with deep pockets, and a desire to help, will learn about her story and come forth with the much needed financial assistance. To learn more about Nibakure Children’s Village, and the inspiring woman at the center of the dream, please visit their website at http://www.nibakure.org/ Read Entire Interview Here |
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