This year, as the world marks the 30th anniversary of the horrific genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994, Melbourne woman Gabrielle Mahony returns to the country that has occupied a special place in her heart since she first arrived there as a humanitarian aid worker only months after the genocide. The visit has a special poignancy for Gabrielle as she looks back, in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis, and gives thanks for the remarkable people, places and experiences that have helped shape a unique and blessed life.
Over the course of 100 days from 6 April to 4 July 1994, up to one million people were killed in Rwanda, a land-locked country in East Africa. The victims of the genocide were mostly people of the Tutsi ethnic group, killed by those of Hutu ethnicity, though there was killing on both sides. In August that year, Gabrielle arrived in Rwanda as part of her new humanitarian aid appointment with World Vision Australia. This was to be the beginning of a long and special relationship with the country and its people, a connection that continues to this day.
Gabrielle was only 30 years old when she landed in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. The country’s buildings, land and population had been decimated by the genocide, and many of the people had fled to neighbouring countries, with many more still trying to flee. There was no stable government in place, and getting any information from the ‘authorities’ was difficult. On her arrival, Gabrielle was struck by the ‘stench of death’ and obvious signs of the genocide all around her.
I wasn’t weeping from fear. I was weeping at the absolute devastation. I had a sense of what I was stepping into.
Gabrielle had only been appointed to her role as program officer for humanitarian disasters weeks before her ‘first assignment’ to Rwanda. She can remember watching the news of the genocide when it started, weeping and thinking, ‘I’ll probably be sent there’. That’s exactly what happened.
‘I wasn’t weeping from fear. I was weeping at the absolute devastation. I had a sense of what I was stepping into. I knew I needed to prepare myself because it was going to be difficult, but I wasn’t shaken at all,’ she says of the deep sense of conviction she felt. ‘And so, my story with World Vision began—which lasted just shy of 20 years—as did my love relationship with Rwanda.’
Gabrielle describes her work in Rwanda and other developing nations as a ‘dream come true’. From childhood, she’d felt the call to mission in developing countries. Growing up, she was inspired by her father’s sister, ‘Aunt Annie’, who served overseas with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary and who ‘loomed as this huge figure and influence in my life story.
‘Though she had lots to share, she didn’t need to say much. She had gentleness and strength at the same time. She had a warmth, and she glowed with love and compassion and sensitivity.’ During her childhood encounters with Aunt Annie, Gabrielle had a strong sense of the presence of God. ‘I would just listen, deeply,’ she says.
In Rwanda, though the task seemed overwhelming, Gabrielle found herself relying on her own faith and a confidence in her abilities to serve those she encountered. In her role, she made enquiries and assessed the situation with people on the ground, coordinating and implementing emergency response actions based on the needs she uncovered. She both designed and wrote grants to secure funding for various programs that would assist the Rwandan people in the aftermath of the genocide.
Gabrielle says in the early days, there were a lot of programs for unaccompanied children, with the aim of housing them until they could be reunited with their family members. Emergency food aid was vital, as was the provision of items to assist with shelter and basic cooking needs. At the same time, because World Vision was establishing itself in the country for the first time, Gabrielle was charged with setting up the logistical operations for the organisation.
‘We were starting from scratch,’ says Gabrielle. ‘We had no office, no accommodation, no staff, the country was in chaos, and we needed to start coordinating and implementing an emergency response, whatever that looked like, right through to rehabilitation and community development down the track. It was complex and tough, and it took time, but I revelled in it.
When I look back, God’s hand was in every blessing and every person that was employed to work with us.
‘I was surrounded by well-chosen colleagues from the international World Vision community, who had a very strong faith. So being able to build a team in difficult circumstances, work together well, and know why we’re there and what we were there to do was important. And we were all very prayerful people—we knew that prayer and solidarity was important. When I look back, God’s hand was in every blessing and every person that was employed to work with us.’
Gabrielle travelled to and from Rwanda over a five-year period, which included a six-month secondment during which she oversaw the programs that were being implemented and continued to address the needs as they unfolded.
‘What kept me going was my belief in my own ability, my own faith, and a belief that I would be safe,’ she says. ‘And I believed in our local staff and their ability to do the work, even though they were all traumatised themselves and had all been affected by the genocide. Together, we were working to support the people of this country.’
Despite the harrowing circumstances, Gabrielle says there were moments of solidarity, friendship and inspiration. She remembers a conversation in Rwanda that has stayed with her all this time, and brought home to her why the work was so important: ‘We had built a school, just a simple brick building, but important, nonetheless, and the people were so thankful. One of the staff said to me, “You know Gabby, in this school they may raise the future president of Rwanda.” And I thought, “You’re so right”.’
In May of last year, Gabrielle received the life-altering news of a terminal cancer diagnosis. Her doctors predicted that with chemotherapy, she had two years, though her loved ones continue to pray for a miracle.
For Gabrielle, it has been ‘the catalyst’ for everything that’s happened in the past 12 months, including a large ‘Celebration of Life’ to mark her 60th birthday last November with her twin sister, Virginia, and a visit to Rwanda with a small group of close friends from Australia.
The Celebration of Life brought together about 200 family members and friends for an afternoon and evening of shared storytelling, prayer, reflection, singing and dancing. It was the culmination and expression of many things that Gabrielle holds dear: the preciousness of life, coming together with family and friends, and the importance of ritual and celebration.
Because I grew up in a Catholic family and a Catholic community, celebration, coming together, working together, pulling together was fundamental to my childhood and to who I am now.
It also drew deeply on her faith and spirituality, and on her own experience working with the dying—Gabrielle worked in palliative care in VMCH’s O’Neill House for two years before her diagnosis and has also trained as a death doula.
‘Because I grew up in a Catholic family and a Catholic community, celebration, coming together, working together, pulling together was fundamental to my childhood and to who I am now, which is why ceremony and gatherings, community and ritual, is so important,’ she says. ‘It’s important that my family and friends can journey alongside me, as I’ve done for others, to the end.’
There was a special guest at the celebration—Chantal Umuraza, a woman from Rwanda, who made the trip to Melbourne to join Gabrielle. Chantal survived the genocide and was employed by World Vision at the same time as Gabrielle. The two have been friends, and have stayed in contact, ever since.
‘I’ve been following Chantal’s journey over the years, and I’ve read her book of survival. I’ve been deeply moved by her strength and resilience and the ways in which she’s overcome many challenges,’ says Gabrielle. ‘When I received the news of my cancer, I really wanted her to come out and celebrate with me.’
While in Australia, Chantal extended a special invitation to Gabrielle, one that she couldn’t refuse: the chance to return to Rwanda. ‘Returning to Rwanda was on my bucket list,’ says Gabrielle. Thanks to Chantal’s invitation, and feeling healthy, Gabrielle was able to travel with a small group of close friends from Australia for a four-week visit in July and August this year.
The journey to Rwanda was a deeply moving experience for Gabrielle. She saw first-hand the progress made over the past 30 years: improvement in the city’s infrastructure and roads, a boost in economic development and tourism, a stable government focused on healing, peace and prosperity. She spent time with the local village children of Ishobe, playing, singing, dancing, drawing and being a presence of joy and love.
A young boy poured water over Gabrielle’s head, bestowing upon her a Rwandan name, Muhawe, which means ‘the one God blesses us with’.
She witnessed daily the reality of desperate poverty and vulnerability of many, particularly those living in rural areas. She heard personal stories of healing and forgiveness, and of hope as people continue to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the genocide.
On a visit to Kibeho—a place of pilgrimage for Catholics from across the world, who visit the site where Mary appeared to three young visionaries and take the water from the surrounding springs—a young boy poured water over Gabrielle’s head, bestowing upon her a Rwandan name, Muhawe, which means ‘the one God blesses us with’.
Most importantly, Gabrielle was able to experience the fruits of Chantal’s commitment and hard work over many years, and to see her friend’s dream coming to fruition.
Ishobe, which means ‘resilience’ in Kinyarwanda, is situated in a small village to the north of Kigali on a picturesque mountainside, with views over the capital city. Described as an ‘eco-tourism farm-stay’, the enterprise is run by Chantal’s team of young staff, who manage the farm, the accommodation, the cultural centre and tours. A percentage of the profits are used to support her local community.
‘The main purpose of this trip was about celebrating Chantal’s achievements, supporting her and taking others on a journey,’ Gabrielle says. ‘I hope my friends can gain insight into Chantal’s mission and work, and also into my own life’s mission, and the legacy I am leaving behind.’ Gabrielle envisions a future where Chantal finds connection with her friends, people who understand her and can continue to support her vision and work.
As I sit and reflect on Rwanda, my own concerns, my story, my ending—it all just feels so small ... If these people can live and still go on loving, my own struggle towards death seems insignificant. It doesn’t even register.
During her time in Rwanda, Gabrielle was reminded of the immense struggles the people there have faced—the trauma of genocide, the loss of life and the deprivation.
‘As I sit and reflect on Rwanda, my own concerns, my story, my ending—it all just feels so small.’ Witnessing the resilience of the Rwandan people, their capacity for forgiveness and their ability to move forward has given Gabrielle perspective. ‘If these people can live and still go on loving, my own struggle towards death seems insignificant. It doesn’t even register.’
Now, Gabrielle focuses on living day by day, with small goals and plans that bring her joy. It is this mindset that continues to guide her. And despite her terminal diagnosis, she continues to find profound meaning in her life and work.
I have learnt that people can find joy even in the face of great despair, whether that be extreme poverty or impending death.
‘My vocation to life, to this planet, to humanity has been an absolute blessing,’ she says. ‘I have learnt that people can find joy even in the face of great despair, whether that be extreme poverty or impending death.’ She hopes to remain grounded in her faith and to reflect God’s presence in her life. As time moves forward, her wish is simple: ‘I hope that I stay solid to the end.’
All photos by Fiona Basile, unless otherwise indicated.
