a beloved Mother
Mama was the perfect description of a Proverbs 31 woman. Her self-sacrificial love and ability to find the good in anyone and anything are two of the million things I admire about her and I know everyone can testify to that. Mama had a wonderful personality, amazing sense of humor, and was a great advisor. If I were to describe her in two words, it would be tough and tender. She raised us to love God, serve Him, and stay away from boys until the time was right. Growing up, I never realized how blessed I was to have a mother like Mama, but now as I look back and remember all her long lectures and the hard work she had us do, I realize how fortunate I was to grow up with a loving mother who only did what she did out of love for us.
Mama was very generous with her time and the little that we had growing up. I remember this because there was never a time she turned her back on a person who needed her help. She always found a way to help no matter what and did it lovingly. Everyone knew her as the doctor’s wife who had impeccable hospitality skills, who was always willing to serve. Even the little that we had growing up, she made sure she gave to others and everyone loved her for her kindness. Mama was a prayerful woman who taught us to praise and worship God. She put him first in everything and taught us to do the same.
​
Mama was strong and she lived a life of love and joy. Even though living as refugees was hard, she was able to make anywhere feel like home, regardless. She was always singing and smiling, telling us stories, and giving us advice that i still live with up to now. For example, growing up, i always admired Mama’s beauty and wanted to look like her when i was older. One day she sat me down and talked to me about real beauty; the beauty that comes from within. She told me to focus on working on my inner beauty and being kind and honest. She told me that when you’re beautiful on the inside, it radiates on the outside. I don’t think I will ever forget that and I look forward to passing that piece of advice to my kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. She didn’t have an easy life, but she always had a word of encouragement for us when we were going through hard times. She looked past her own pain to help us and always put others first. Mama loved us regardless of our flaws and failures and now we live as witnesses of her greatness. She invested in us and never gave up on us. Her tough and tender love has led us to become successful. Mama is a mother of entrepreneurs, freedom fighters, bankers, lawyers, economists, statisticians, and much more. Mama lived to her full potential and fulfilled her purpose in life. She will always be remembered as a prayerful, powerful, happy, strong woman who loved, cared deeply, and always put others first. I can only hope to become even half as amazing as her. Mama was one-in-a-million, and I will forever be grateful to God for giving us a wonderful mother.
​
- Written by Simbi Isimbi Munyemana
Grandchild
​
Written from the perspectives of Mama's children
a beloved GRANDMOTHER
Mama loved all 37 of her grandchildren so much. She was so full of love you could feel it radiating from her every time she was near. She was always making us laugh. We, her grandchildren, held a very special place in her heart
​
from the day we were born. She is the one who gave us our first baths, changed our first diapers, and sang to us our first lullabies. She was there for our mothers who, still healing from the pains of birth, could not care for us on their own. It gave her so much joy taking care of all of us. For example, my auntie Christine who, due to medical issues, was unable to wake up, Mama was the one who fed, clothed, and pacified Keza, until aunty Christine woke up. She taught our mothers the right way to bathe a baby, to feed a baby and to put a baby to sleep. This is the reason we call her Mama and not Grandmother; She was our first mother.
​
She never liked to be away from us. We were always having sleep-overs at her house until she couldn’t host us anymore because of her ailments. Even then, she found ways to be with us by staying at our homes to take care of us when our parents were not home or whenever she fell sick. She taught us
hymns and told us so many stories. She talked about how our mothers got married, how the dog
became man’s best friend (Many of the Rwandan folklore she shared with us), and how Jesus died on the cross to save us from sins. She loved us so much, she couldn’t bear the thought of us not being saved; and worked hard to make sure we were saved. She loved finding ways to make the young children laugh, whether it was mispronouncing English words on purpose or making funny faces. She once told me not to fall in love with a man who was with me just for my looks but instead to take a good look at his character and the way he treated his parents, especially his mother in order to properly judge him. Her advice helped many of us.
​
She was blessed with many gifts which she has passed on to her children and us. Her gift of music and song writing was given to Beth, Precious, Nelly, Muco, Irebe, and very many others. Her gift of humor was given to Queen, Cilia, Julie, Sunita, Shimwa, and Isheja, who will always take the opportunity to have a good laugh. The blessing of kindness was given to Charlotte, Kami, Rama, and Iranzi, who are happy when others are happy. The gifts of writing and storytelling are seen in my poetry and in Keza and Simbi’s writing. The gift of physical beauty was given to Sunshine, Becky, Tunga, Tona, Wera, and Jason. The gift of extreme smarts was given to Julius, Jordan, and Ishema.
​
We are honored to be able to say that we had this wonderful woman as our grandmother, and even more honored that we get to carry her legacy for generations.
- Written by Isaro Kali
Grandchild
​
​
For Mama
​
You baked us cakes on our birthdays
You picked us up when we cried and pretended to hit whatever had hurt us
You fed us kivuguto and endless meals
Everyone left your house filled with so much happiness
You were an entrepreneur in your own right
You made jewelry, clothing and were a farmer
You were a church planter, trusted by your community, a friend to all
Everyone left your presence with a sense of Love
You housed strangers and friends of friends. Your house was never empty
You loved company, you loved people, you always gave
You made sure strangers and friends felt the same in your home
Everyone left your house with a full heart
You’re gone Mama. You’re with the Lord
You’re probably tailoring fancy cloths and taking care of animals up there
You’re hosting your parents, uncle Peter and auntie Fau in your mansion
You’re at peace…You will always be Loved Mama.
​
Written by Diana Natukunda
Grandchild
​
​
​a beloved Mother in law
​When it came to her children-in-law, Mama loved each and every one of them as though they were her own. Her children in law varied in profession. From soldiers fighting for Rwanda's liberation, engineers, bankers, and diplomats to name a few. They came from all different walks of life, and they all benefitted from Mama's love. She showed some of them what a parental figure looks like. She advised her daughters-in-law and taught her sons-in-law to lead. She even brought some of them to Christ through her dedication to the Lord.
​
Whenever I think about the influence that Mama had on her children-in-law, I think of the story my parents like to tell about how she exemplified what I a true parental figure looks like to my father. When my dad would get sick, Mama nurtured and took care of him. She never left his side and kept him company with her laughter and stories. His experience with Mama changed his perspective on parenting. He distinctly remembers the love and presence that Mama gave him, and still fondly talks about it today.
There are countless of stories and experiences where Mama's love for her children-in-law shined. She took care of them, prayed for them, and loved them like her own children. Mama was also very involved with the choosing of her children's spouses, a story she often told. She embraced and accepted each and every one of her 12 children-in-law, and they loved her for it.
​
​
- Written by Muco Manzi, 20 years
Grandchild
All my memories of Aunty Adele were full of warmth and laughter and love. When I was a child and would visit her home with my siblings and cousins, she was so welcoming and always had Riham biscuits and kivuguto ready because she knew we loved it. And whether we were hungry or not she made sure we had some! She was the definition of hospitable and I can only hope to be half as great as she was.
I remember when she visited our home in South Africa many years ago, long before I was used to any accents that weren’t South African. When we would do something naughty she would always say “you kagaro” and tickle us. When we finally moved to Rwanda many years later I still remembered that and went around asking people what it meant, only to realize she was saying “you ka girl”
Even when she wasn’t trying to be funny she was, with our language barriers and all! During her visit she also taught me how to play a song on a keyboard we had at the time and I’ll always remember that and cherish it.
​
She was truly a beautiful woman through and through, and though gone she will never be forgotten and lives on in our hearts. We love you and miss you Aunty Adele, and may you rest in eternal peace
​
Written by Claudine Nkera
Niece