Below is Tert.am’s interview with Marguerite Barankitse,the founder of Maison Shalom (Burundi) and the laureate of the 2016 Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity
How did you succeed in saving the lives of 30000 people? What price did you pay for that?
I consider myself as a tool of God’s worship․ When I met these children with willingness to live, I was seduced and went with them. When I saw children suffering from diseases, and I began the hospital. The situation of children in prison was the reason of creating the reeducation center.
[br]When mothers were dying by HIV/AIDS or when giving birth,it was the beginning of the hospital… Every Challenge was bringing a current idea․
Price: I was treated as a rebel, a crazy woman or a threat; many friends and relatives abandoned me. It was not only 30000 people but more because Maison Shalom is a message of Peace and worship.[br]They say one needs to have a special virtue or talent to save lives. What makes this kind of people different from others?
The vocation of human being is worship, and to distribute Happiness to others. My biggest virtue is my faith in God’s providence,in God who save the humanity and Humility
How finish you manage to overcome the obstacles you face in your activities?
Thank to my faith in God who never abandon his children. I also listen my friends and colleagues
What has the Aurora Prize changed in your life?[br]I have a big message and have been honored to be the laureate of Aurora Prize. I was reassured that God answers prayers; I just have to let God using me.
You visited Armenia in April 2016. Were you familiar with the country before?
It was my first time in Armenia but I red the history of the genocide of Christian in Armenia
What did you reveal in Armenia?
I discovered the richness of Armenians, their interest to goodness of their brothers and sisters. Those in different countries are supporting their brothers in Armenia. It is a splendid example and now I am trying to get this possible with Burundians
What are your plans for the future?
We opened a current community center “OASIS OF PEACE” in Rwanda to prepare ourselves and Burundian refugees to fade back home in dignity and without loosing our culture, or to rebuild our country.
Source: tert.am