{{short description|Rwandan non-profit organization for disadvantaged children}} {{Infobox organization | name = Gisimba Memorial Centre | native_name = | native_name_lang = | named_after = | image = Damas_Gisimba_Mutezintare,_the_Director_of_the_Gisimba_Memorial_Centre_shows_photos_of_around_325_children_who_were_rescued_during_the_1994_Genocide_against_the_Tutsi_in_Kigali_on_April_16,_2019._Emmanuel_Kwizera.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = Damas Gisimba Mutezintare, the Director of the Gisimba Memorial center | logo = | logo_size = | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | map = | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = | map2 = | map2_size = | map2_alt = | map2_caption = | abbreviation = | predecessor = | merged_into = | successor = | formation = <!-- use {{start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | founder = Peter and Dancilla Gisimba | founding_location = | extinction = <!-- use {{end date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | merger = | type = | tax_id = <!-- or | vat_id = (for European organizations) --> | registration_id = <!-- for non-profit org --> | status = | purpose = | headquarters = | location = Kigali, Rwanda | coordinates = {{coord|-1.973136|30.049185|display=inline, title}} | region_served = | services = | products = | methods = | fields = | membership = | num_members_year = | language = | owner = <!-- or | owners = --> | secretary_general = | leader_title = Director | leader_name = Damas Gisimba | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | board_of_directors = | key_people = | main_organ = | parent_organization = | subsidiaries = | secessions = | affiliations = | budget = | budget_year = | revenue = | revenue_year = | disbursements = | expenses = | expenses_year = | endowment = | endowment_year = | num_staff = | num_staff_year = | num_volunteers = | num_volunteers_year = | website = {{URL|gisimba.org}} | remarks = | former_name = Gisimba Orphanage | footnotes = }}
'''Gisimba Memorial Centre''' is a trauma informed community center and an after-school centre for disadvantaged children in Kigali, Rwanda. Formerly, it was the oldest and best-known orphanage in Rwanda, however, in 2016 the government began closing orphanages and transferring the children under foster care and adoption to families.<ref name="Bisumba">{{cite web |last1=Bisumba |first1=Nasra |title=Rwanda phasing out orphanages, pushes for local adoptions {{!}} DW {{!}} 31.08.2016 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/rwanda-phasing-out-orphanages-pushes-for-local-adoptions/a-19512551 |website=DW.COM |accessdate=29 October 2018 |language=en |date=August 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029232432/https://www.dw.com/en/rwanda-phasing-out-orphanages-pushes-for-local-adoptions/a-19512551 |archive-date=29 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It was founded by Peter and Dancilla Gisimba in the 1980s.<ref name="fallon">{{cite press release |last1=Fallon |first1=Amy |title=Future of Rwanda's Orphans Still Uncertain |url=http://www.ipsnews.net/2014/07/future-of-rwandas-orphans-still-uncertain/ |website=Inter Press Service |accessdate=29 October 2018 |location=Kigali |date=July 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029232437/http://www.ipsnews.net/2014/07/future-of-rwandas-orphans-still-uncertain/ |archive-date=29 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> They took orphans into their home from the local community, until there were too many to house, at which point they transferred to a larger location.<ref name="wynnejones"/> It was renamed the Gisimba Memorial Centre in 1990.<ref name="fallon"/>
In the Rwandan genocide of 1994, the Damas and Jean-Francois Gisimba (the founder's sons) along with American aide worker Carl Wilkens help hide and save 400 children, and even more adults, within the orphanage from the ''Interahamwe'', or Hutu militia.<ref name="wynnejones">{{cite web |last1=Wynne-Jones |first1=Ros |title=Rwanda heroes: 17 years on |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/21/rwanda-heroes-reunited |website=the Guardian |accessdate=29 October 2018 |language=en |date=21 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029232452/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/jun/21/rwanda-heroes-reunited |archive-date=29 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On November 21, 2017, the former orphanage officially changed its mission.<ref name="tabaro">{{cite web |last1=Tabaro |first1=Jean de la Croix |title=Gisimba Orphanage Turns into Training Centre |url=http://ktpress.rw/2017/11/gisimba-orphanage-turns-into-training-centre/ |website=KT PRESS |accessdate=29 October 2018 |date=20 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029232440/http://ktpress.rw/2017/11/gisimba-orphanage-turns-into-training-centre/ |archive-date=29 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In a statement to the press, the director said, "We have turned the orphanage to Gisimba after School Initiative – it is a training centre which will bring the youth together for several entertainment and education activities."<ref name="tabaro"/>
==Media== Brandon Stanton, the creator of Humans of New York, visited Rwanda in September 2018.<ref name="stanton">{{cite web |last1=Stanton |first1=Brandon |title=Feeling Grateful |url=https://www.patreon.com/posts/feeling-grateful-21394901 |website=Patreon |accessdate=26 October 2018 |language=en |date=September 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026182940/https://www.patreon.com/posts/feeling-grateful-21394901 |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Beginning on October 16, 2018, he began covering the genocide on his site through a series of interviews and photos from persons who were affected.<ref name="stantonfb">{{cite web |last1=Stanton |first1=Brandon |title=Humans of New York |url=https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/posts/on-april-6th-1994-an-airplane-carrying-the-president-of-rwanda-was-shot-down-ove/2599594763447941/ |website=Facebook |accessdate=26 October 2018 |language=en |date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218220429/https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/posts/on-april-6th-1994-an-airplane-carrying-the-president-of-rwanda-was-shot-down-ove/2599594763447941/ |archive-date=18 February 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On his site, he stated his objective: "During my week in Rwanda, I focused on the stories of people who took a moral stand during the genocide. These are members of the Hutu majority who risked their lives to shield and protect Tutsis. In Rwanda they are known as ‘The Rescuers.'"<ref name="HONY">{{cite web |last1=Stanton |first1=Brandon |title=Humans of New York |url=http://www.humansofnewyork.com/post/179117463691/on-april-6th-1994-an-airplane-carrying-the |website=Humans of New York |accessdate=26 October 2018 |language=en |date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026182943/http://www.humansofnewyork.com/post/179117463691/on-april-6th-1994-an-airplane-carrying-the |archive-date=26 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In conjunction with the series, he hosted a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the Gisimba Memorial Centre in Rwanda and the planned the yet-to-be-built Gisimba House in Uganda.<ref name="stanton10000"/> He supplemented the campaign with $13,000 from HONY's Patreon fund, as well as with $1 for every donation beyond the 5,000th donation.<ref name="stanton10000">{{cite web |last1=Stanton |first1=Brandon |title=Humans of New York |url=https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/posts/2622797344461016 |website=Facebook |accessdate=28 October 2018 |language=en |date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218220605/https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/posts/2622797344461016 |archive-date=18 February 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name="stantonhonygfm">{{cite web |last1=Stanton |first1=Brandon |title=Humans of New York |url=https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/photos/a.102107073196735/2623626931044724/?type=3&theater |website=Facebook |accessdate=28 October 2018 |language=en |date=27 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218220538/https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/photos/a.102107073196735/2623626931044724/?type=3&theater |archive-date=18 February 2019 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The campaign reached its goal of $200,000 in 18 hours,<ref name="stantonhonygfm"/><ref name="tabaro2">{{cite web |last1=Tabaro |first1=Jean de la Croix |title=American Author Raises $400,000 to Build 'Gisimba House' in Rwanda, Uganda |url=http://ktpress.rw/2018/10/american-author-raises-400000-to-build-gisimba-house-in-rwanda-uganda/ |website=KT PRESS |accessdate=29 October 2018 |date=29 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029143429/http://ktpress.rw/2018/10/american-author-raises-400000-to-build-gisimba-house-in-rwanda-uganda/ |archive-date=29 October 2018 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.ushmm.org/confront-genocide/cases/rwanda/rwanda-video-gallery/eyewitness-testimony-damas-gisimba Eyewitness Testimony: Damas Gisimba], video interview with the United States Holocaust Museum
Category:Schools in Rwanda Category:Buildings and structures in Kigali Category:Orphanages in Africa