Marguerite Barankitse, patron of the Appeal...

 

 

Maggy Barankitse saved thousands of children during the genocide that ravaged her country, Burundi, from 1993 to 2003.

On October 25th 1993 - one of the worst days of Burundi’s civil war- she started sheltering and feeding 25 children.

Then, she organized a network which succeeded in helping continuously a greater number of children. In May 1994, the bishop of Ruyigi lent her a school which was transformed into a shelter for children, and was named “Shalom house”.

 

An exemplary fight for the dignity and the protection of children’ rights

The courage as well as moral and spiritual force of Marguerite Barankitse led her, very often at the risk of her life, to build in one decade an extraordinary work for the protection of children from the ravages of war and HIV/AIDS, in the horrifying chaos in Burundi from 1993 to 2003.

The extent of her action, based on the essential principle of the unconditional welcome of children regardless of their origin Tutsi or Hutu, brought her a great international recognition.*

The Bice has a great affinity with her approach towards children: at the same time extremely respectful and thoughtful, deep-rooted into the principle of resilience and into a faith in the child deeply evangelical.

 

Maggy Barankitse has agreed to support the World Appeal for childhood that Bice is launching in Geneva on June 4th, 2009: the Bice is very honored that she is commemorating at it side the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).

 

* 1998 : Human Rights Prize of the French Republic
* 2003 : World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child
* 2004 : Voices of Courage Award
* 2004 : Distinction Nansen for refugees

* 2009: Legion of Honour of the French Republic