Marguerite Barankitse

Marguerite “Maggie” Barankitse, a humanitarian activist from Burundi, has dedicated her life to promoting peace. She founded Maison Shalom in 1993, offering healthcare, education, and culture to over 20,000 orphaned children amidst Hutu-Tutsi conflicts. Despite facing exile due to her opposition to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s regime, Barankitse’s impact continued to grow, with Maison Shalom expanding into a network of schools and hospitals. In 2015, she extended her efforts to support Burundian refugees in Rwanda through the Community Center Oasis of Peace in Kigali, emphasizing dignity and nurturing dreams.

Her contributions to transcending ethnic divisions to foster peace have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity in 2016.