Adrolata Nikuze: SOS mother from Rwanda makes a lasting impact
Adrolata struggles to express the love she feels for her children. At SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda in Gikongoro, she was a mother for 29 years and raised 53 children. In 2021, she won the Helmut Kutin Award for going beyond her duties to make a lasting impact in the lives of children and young people.
Adrolata’s parents inspired her to care for vulnerable children. They fed and clothed poor children in their neighbourhood, which made her think about their lives. This passion drove Adrolata to adopt two children and dedicate her life to changing the lives of disadvantaged children.
During the tragedy of the genocide against Tutsis in 1994, Adrolata fled with the ten children in her SOS family to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo. “I decided to go with my children and keep them safe. We lived in difficult conditions and suffered together in a refugee camp. After four months, we returned home, and I went on being their mother.” This challenging experience made Adrolata stronger and more resilient.
One child she raised was speech impaired from childhood. Adrolata cared for him and met his every need; he now has graduated from university and is a musician.
Eric says, “I was raised in SOS Children’s Villages in Gikongoro because I was born when my mother had divorced. I was abandoned and had serious health issues, such as speech impairment. I could not speak when I started nursery school in 1996. I was raised by Nikuze and am joyful that I can now speak thanks to her. I started to speak when I was in primary 3. Nikuze has changed my life to the extent that I also compose songs.”
Adrolata says, “Children come to the village with no hope for the future but later on mature and find themselves. Watching my children grow up, study, overcome challenges to live independently and start their own families is my forever happiness.”
In 2007, Nikuze traced Uwimana’s family and connected him to his relatives from both his parent's families.
Uwimana says, “I have finished my University education in land surveying. I do part-time jobs in Chinese construction firms. I was also recently married this year. I am a man with dignity, thanks to Nikuze. I am happy that she was recognized for her devotion to children. It is our pride as the children she raised in the SOS family in Rwanda.”