Marguerite Barankitse

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Marguerite Barankitse is a Burundian humanitarian. Barankitse began providing food and shelter to 25 children on October 25, 1993, one of the worst days of the Burundi Civil War. She saw many people brutally killed before her very own eyes and gathered 25 children who were there as well so she could help them. With the help of European and Burundian friends she organized a help network that managed to provide care for a growing number of children. In May 1994 the roman catholic bishop of Ruyigi agreed to transform a former school into a children's shelter called 'Maison Shalom'.

Her activities expanded to other cities such as Butezi and Gizuru where she opened other children's shelters.

In 2004 an estimated 20,000 children had benefitted from her help, either directly or indirectly [1].

The scope of her action, as well as the fact that she protects all children without consideration of their origin, Tutsi or Hutu, brought her praise from all corners of the world :

• 1998 : « prix des droits de l'homme » (Human Rights award) of the French government
• 2000 : North-South Prize from the Council of Europe
• 2003 : World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child
• 2004 : Voices of Courage Award of the Women’s Commission for Women and Refugee Children
• 2004 : Nansen Refugee Award