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An artist in the
making – Rwanda Orphanage and Training Centre
Jean-Paul has a fantastic sense of humor, however his past
has not been all smiles and laughter. He lived in Kigali
when the genocide of 1994 hit and changed his life forever.
When the slaughtering began, his family fled to seek refuge
in a nearby church. On their way his father, being a soldier
in the former army, was apprehended and Jean–Paul has never
seen him since. After the war, Jean-Paul and his brother
briefly stayed with their mother, until she remarried and
then they moved to their aunt in Gitarama. After their
mother's death, both of them were brought to the JAM
Orphanage. It was during this time that Jean-Paul had to
stop schooling as he fell ill. However the Rwandan Training
Center (RTC) at JAM kept his mind and hands busy. He soon
discovered his true love and talent in art. Jean-Paul sees
his future as a professional artist. He would also love to
finish his schooling and one day have a family of his own,
and return to live in Kigali. Recently, he was informed that
his father was alive, living in Kigali. He finds this
difficult to believe and even feels his father neglected
him, but knows that it would be wonderful to have a father
again. The JAM Orphanage and Rwandan Training Centre, so
far, have been a pillar of strength to both Jean-Paul and
his brother.
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