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The 30 Year Commemoration: Genocide Against Tutsi

In Safi’s words:

“It is now 30 years of commemoration and remembering the genocide against Tutsi… it seems like it was only yesterday. It is 30 years but we mourn for our loved ones!

I have a story, my own story and my family’s story because it is only me left to tell of their lives and their values. Every year I go to the Genocide memorial with flowers to visit them (as my mum loved flowers, especially roses).

I was born in Karongi District, former Kibuye, and I was eight years old during the Genocide with my parents and siblings. I’m the only one who survived the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi from my family of five back then. Some of my family were killed at Gatwaro Stadium, and the rest in the surroundings. After the difficult times of losing my family, I tried to go and hide but the Interahamwe found me and started hitting and cutting me with their machetes, and left me there, thinking I was dead.

After waking up the following day severely wounded and hungry, I went to an aunt who quickly took me to Kibuye hospital and from there, French soldiers took me to the Kituku orphanage in RDC. With many injuries and scars on my body I miraculously survived, but had to go through six operations to fix the injuries and wounds I was suffering from.

From that long, bad, and unbearable experience I promised God and myself that if I manage to survive and live again, I will dedicate my life to helping others.

After the Genocide, I was helped by my uncle, then my aunt, and all of this was possible because of the support I got through FARG, an organization that supports Genocide Survivors.

I have many things to thank God for. I thank Devon Ogden for helping me much to fulfill my promise I made to myself. Safi Life, our non-profit organisation, has a mission is to educate, empower and advance young Rwandan women, mostly single, pregnant, and those with young children, as well as all kinds of people in need that we have helped.

Safi Life has now reached many young women in different categories and different backgrounds and helped them to be self-reliant and take care of their babies and children. Not only do we train them in different crafts and skills like knitting, tailoring and other income-producing skills, we also mentor them on how to run their own business!

One main thing that gives me satisfaction is the fact that my life history has enabled me to help change other people’s lives, as I believe there is a reason I didn’t die.”

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Thrive Causemetics + Safi Life

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Thrive Causemetics + Safi Life

We were SO fortunate to have Thrive Causemetics, a vegan, cruelty-free makeup brand focused on giving back to women in need (those surviving cancer, homelessness, domestic violence, and serving female veterans) send a giant box of their incredible cosmetics to our school in Kigali, Rwanda.

We LOVED receiving these gifts. Many of our students had never worn makeup before! Everyone enjoyed using the products, which in turn builds confidence. Makeup allows us to try new things, new expressions, and to feel as beautiful on the outside as we are on the inside. We felt so supported and cared for, and we are honored to now be part of @thrivecausemetics mission to be #BiggerThanBeauty! To purchase some of their turquoise goodies for yourself, check out their online store here: ThriveCausemetics.com <3

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Founder Devon Ogden interviews co-founder + namesake Safi Mukundwa

KNEKT / Aware Now Magazine

Thanks to KNEKT TV + Aware Now Magazine via Awareness Ties, Safi Life gained a new platform this month. Our founder Devon Ogden interviewed co-founder + organization namesake Safi Mukundwa. The interview includes their meeting story back in 2007, the beginnings of Safi Life as an organization, our many accomplishments to date and big dreams for the future.

KNEKT TV used the piece to kick off their new Change Series, and it was also featured in the globally distributed Aware Now Magazine. We hope you’ll watch and share this very meaningful exchange between two friends.


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2020 Lockdown and Beginning Again

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2020 Lockdown and Beginning Again

2020 was a difficult year globally but despite the necessary lockdowns and temporary shutdown of our NDASHOBOYE program in Rwanda, we have begun again with renewed vigor and excitement. Our seamstress program is continuing with longer teacher hours to maintain social distancing, and mask requirements. We look forward to a day where we can move and breathe freely, but until then, we will keep each other safe and learn to the best of our abilities. Here’s to a renewed NDASHOBOYE (meaning “I Am Able”) and expanded opportunities for women in Rwanda.

Ndashoboye
Ndashoboye
Ndashoboye
Ndashoboye
Ndashoboye

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Final Exams

Our NDASHOBOYE students have been working incredibly hard on their final exams. They have learned the skills of sewing to start their self-run businesses and are now finishing their theory exams. We could not be prouder of these women, many of whom are solo mothers who bring their babies to school with them. We APPLAUD you!

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NDASHOBOYE

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NDASHOBOYE

NDASHOBOYE. In Rwandan, that means “I am able/capable”. It is also the name of the new Safi Life outreach program to rehabilitate more than 50 women annually who have been shunned by their families and communities due to early or unwanted pregnancies, were raped, or were teenage prostitutes in Rwanda. We believe in restoring dignity to ALL Rwandan women.

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The Safi Life “Back to School” Walk

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The Safi Life “Back to School” Walk

In September, Safi Life held a "Back to School" charity walk in Van Nuys, California, where we raised over $2,400 for our two newest students! Zoula and Safi, both hospitality school students in Rwanda, are studying hotel management and administration. They are now on track to better their futures and graduate from college. We are extremely excited to see what they do with their amazing careers!

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History of the 1994 Genocide

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History of the 1994 Genocide

When I first heard my friend talking about her work with genocide survivors in Rwanda, I thought what probably most people think at first. My only impression of Rwanda was the movie Hotel Rwanda, and in my mind, genocide meant it was currently a war torn country. I have found that I am not alone in this first impression. The truth of the matter is that, through no fault of their own, most people aren’t very educated about the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

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Darling Magazine: The Achiever Embodied

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Darling Magazine: The Achiever Embodied

We are so excited to be featured in Darling Magazine’s Embodied Series as The Achiever.  This incredible magazine wrote an article about the work we are doing in Rwanda and the women we are working with.

Darling Magazine is "more than just a print magazine, it's a wise guide to the art of being a woman” and we are beyond thrilled to have gotten this opportunity to be interviewed!

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Safi LIFE featured in NCF's ministry Report

We're so excited that one of the largest U.S. charities, the National Christian Foundation (NCF), has featured Safi Life in their new 2015 Ministry Report. NCF handles all of Safi Life's online donations by providing a fast and secure payment method for generous givers who want to support our ministry.

Here's the story that shares our vision to help educate, empower, and advance today's African women:

Acting on love

Between auditions and rehearsals, NCF givers Devon Ogden and Jessica Davis are changing the lives of female genocide survivors and orphans in Rwanda. When these young actresses first volunteered in Rwanda, they knew that they had to do something. So Devon created Safi Life, a ministry that helps give Rwandan girls a chance for life-changing higher education. Recently, Devon and Jessica traveled to Rwanda with a group of filmmakers to begin making a documentary about forgiveness, hope, and progress. 

Their ministry is named after Safi Umukundwa, who also serves as the organization’s director in Kigali, Rwanda. This brave young woman survived the Rwandan genocide against Tutsi when she was only eight years old. Safi put herself through secondary school, was awarded funding for a university education, and now works with other young women. Devon says, “Safi’s life serves as a powerful reminder of what women can achieve even amidst the most difficult circumstances.”
 

>> Download a PDF version

 

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