Xaverina Niragire-Visions of Rwanda Photo Project

Xaverina Niragire is a survivor of the genocide in which she lost her husband and three sons. After her tragic loss, Xaverina had no desire to continue living and attempted to drown herself in a lake. As she began to heal, she wanted to forgive the men that killed her family. Many of these men were afraid to ask Xaverina for forgiveness, however one man – Thacien - had the courage to ask her forgiveness for killing her son. Xaverina forgave Thacien and they formed a strong bond. She eventually forgave all of the men that killed her family. Xaverina’s photographs depict her love for children and her desire to forgive others. Photo by Linda Smith