Stories of Hope: Alphonsine

Alphonsine’s parents were killed in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Alphonsine, who was only six at the time, was struck over the head with a club studded with nails. She survived this brutal attack but was left with serious ongoing health issues.

Following the genocide, Alphonsine lived with her sister and brother in an orphanage until it closed in 2003. With nowhere to go, they lived as street children in the market, but soon realized it was too dangerous and began living in the bush.

At age 15, Alphonsine heard a noise and discovered an abandoned baby. Though hungry and homeless herself, she refused to let this baby die. Alphonsine took the baby as her own and named her “Naomi.”

Giving Hope built a home for Alphonsine soon after she joined the program. Within two years, Alphonsine became food secure and was equipped with life skills that allow her to provide for her family.

Through a Giving Hope grant early on, she began three income-generating activities that allowed her to hire labourers to do work she was unable to do.
Alphonsine’s health is improving as well. Giving Hope assists her with costly medicines that must be shipped from Europe. The treatment she is finally receiving is helping, enabling her to joyfully participate in some of the work on her farm.

The other orphans in Giving Hope have become her new family. When a ZOE team visited her in her home she shared, “…with the group I feel like I have a big family with lots of brothers and sisters.”

Alphonsine’s favorite scripture is Proverbs 30:7-9 which says:

“Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die; Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”

Faithful disciple, business woman, and inspiration to all, Alphonsine embodies Giving Hope.

Naomi is now six years old and doing very well.