In the aftermath of the 1994 Rwanda genocide, Roz Carr, an American woman who had lived in Rwanda since 1949, converted an old pyrethrum drying house on her property into a shelter for lost and orphaned children. The orphanage is called Imbabazi, which in Kinyarwanda means “a place where you will receive all the love and care a mother would give.”

Since it opened its doors in December 1994, Roz and her staff have cared for more than 400 children. Many of these children have been reunited with family members located by various relief agencies still working throughout Rwanda. Others have grown up and moved on to lead successful and meaningful lives. The Imbabazi is currently home to 110 Rwandan orphans.

In 1998, due to renewed ethnic violence, Roz was forced to leave her home and relocate the children to the nearby town of Gisenyi, where they remained for seven years, moving from one location to another. The last years of Roz’s life were devoted to creating a permanent home for the children at Mugongo, her flower farm, in the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes. The new complex consists of four large dormitories, a dining and recreation hall, kitchen, classroom, offices, bathing and latrine facilities, and a clinic and infirmary. In November 2005, Roz and the children returned to Mugongo and settled into their new, permanent home.

The Imbabazi is the only privately run orphanage in Rwanda and operates entirely on donations. To make a donation to the Imbabazi, please click on “How You Can Help.”