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.

The Imbabazi is the only privately run orphanage in Rwanda and operates entirely on donations.