Nizeyimana Omar,a 30-year-old man, completed his rehabilitation program on Iwawa Island in 2022. While many of his peers celebrated their return home after completing their training, Omar found himself in a different situation—not because he had misbehaved, but because he had no one to welcome him back. That day, he was overwhelmed with sadness, unsure of where to go.
Recognizing his circumstances, the National Rehabilitation Service (NRS) allowed him to remain at Iwawa while others were sent home. He was also given a job, working on the construction of teacher dormitories and classrooms at the facility.
On March 5, 2025, as another cohort of trainees completed their rehabilitation, NRS Director General, Mufulukye Fred, called Omar forward in front of fellow graduates and dignitaries, including the Minister of Local Government, Dr. Mugenzi Patrice, to commend him for his dedication and hard work.
Mufulukye explained that Omar played a crucial role in reducing NRS’s medical expenses for Iwawa trainees who required treatment at Gisenyi Hospital. Previously, these costs amounted to RWF 7 million per month, but thanks to Omar’s contributions, they had significantly dropped to RWF 500,000 per month.
“For two years, he stayed with us at Gisenyi Hospital, helping us set up our own kitchen. The monthly expenses we used to incur, which exceeded RWF 7 million, were reduced to RWF 500,000. Omar lived there and took charge of cooking for the trainees. I want to take this moment to appreciate him and also to tell him that he should forget about not having a family—because now, he has the NRS family. We are officially keeping him as one of our employees, and he will receive a salary,” Mufulukye announced.
Omar, who never had an official identification card due to his lack of family support, was also assured by NRS that they would guide him through the process of obtaining one.
Omar’s Journey: A Life of Struggles and Resilience
In an interview with Kura, Omar shared his life story. He never knew his father, and his mother passed away when he was just seven years old. She left him in the care of a young woman named Clarisse, but by the time he turned 12, she abandoned him and moved to Uganda.
At that tender age, Omar started working as a cleaner in a barbershop, where he later transitioned to charging mobile phones for customers. With time, he was taught how to cut hair, and it became his livelihood. However, his life took a turn for the worse when he was arrested during a police raid targeting drug users and dealers—a group he had, unfortunately, become part of.
Several significant dates in Omar’s life shaped his journey. On December 28, 2021, he was arrested in Nyarutarama during an operation against drug dealers and users. On March 5, 2022, he was transferred to Iwawa Rehabilitation Center, where he underwent training. On February 15, 2023, his fellow trainees completed the program and returned home, but he remained behind due to having no family to receive him. Then came March 5, 2025, the day that NRS publicly embraced him as one of their own and officially offered him employment.
Reflecting on his journey, Omar expressed his deep gratitude and newfound happiness.
“In my heart, I feel incredibly happy. I am also grateful to my mentor, Museka, who believed in me before the institution itself became my home.”
Omar’s story is one of resilience, second chances, and the transformative power of rehabilitation and community support. Through NRS, he found not only employment but also a family that embraced him when he had no one else.
