Midland College alumna Providence Nkurunziza has a harrowing story to tell. As an 11-year-old girl during the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, Nkurunziza witnessed the brutal murder of many members of her family, including her parents and five siblings. Her life was spared thanks to her aunt, who asked for her help in caring for her newborn cousin. This traumatic event would shape Nkurunziza's life forever.
Nkurunziza's journey to the United States was purely by chance. Her husband's name was drawn in the U.S. Diversity Visa lottery, granting them the opportunity to immigrate to America. After settling in Utah, her husband returned to Rwanda to finish his degree and marry Nkurunziza. Together, they started a family and eventually found their way to Midland, Texas.
In Midland, Nkurunziza's husband accepted a job in the energy sector, while she enrolled at Midland College as a business major. The family quickly fell in love with the city and formed strong connections with the community. Nkurunziza fondly remembers the time they spent in Midland, where they were embraced by true friends who treated them like family.
Nkurunziza credits her time at Midland College for providing her with the support and compassion she needed to rebuild her life. The professors and staff at the college were understanding and helpful, creating a nurturing environment for her to thrive in. She now uses her experience to counsel young women who want to further their education, encouraging them to consider community college for its small class sizes and supportive atmosphere.
Despite the distance that separates her from her homeland, Nkurunziza is determined to educate others about the Rwandan Genocide and help its victims. She also wants to highlight the remarkable transformation that Rwanda has undergone in the past 25 years, emphasizing that it is now a safe and thriving country. Nkurunziza and her family now call North Texas home, but they still cherish their memories of Midland and continue to visit their friends there.
Providence Nkurunziza's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Despite enduring unimaginable tragedy, she has found strength in education and community. Her journey from surviving the Rwandan Genocide to becoming an advocate for education and a proud member of her new community is an inspiration to us all.
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- According to her, her husband had his name drawn in the U.S. Diversity Visa lottery to immigrate to America.
After he laid down roots in Utah, the release said, he returned to Rwanda to finish his degree and marry Nkurunziza, who came with him to the western U.S. and started a family by having a daughter.
- The new family found their way to Midland, where Nkurunziza’s husband accepted a job in the energy sector and she enrolled at MC as a business major.
Nkurunziza gave birth to two boys while in the Permian Basin’s largest city.
“We loved living in Midland and fondly remember the time we were there,” she said in the release. “We met true friends who took us in as family, and we still keep in touch.
“In fact, we travel back to visit occasionally.”
- Nkurunziza told MC that everyone she encountered at the school lent her a helping hand.
“The professors and staff were very understanding,” she said. “When I counsel young women who want to further their education, I draw upon my experience at Midland College and the way I was treated with compassion and understanding.
“I tell them that they should consider a community college because of the small class sizes and helpful, relaxing environment.”
Though thousands of miles and an ocean separate Nkurunziza from her homeland, she has made it her mission to educate others about the genocide.
“I not only want to educate people about the genocide perpetrated against Tutsis and help the victims, but also want to let people know how good Rwanda is now as a country,” she said. “It is truly remarkable how the country has recreated itself over the past quarter century … it is now a very safe country.”
She and her family now call North Texas home, per MC.
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