Rwanda
Location
Mahama Refugee Camp
Organization
Spirit of Peace & Solidarity (SPS)
Founder
Melance Niyonizigiye
Focus
Community support, Environmental restoration, Youth empowerment, Psychosocial well-being, Creative expression
Where is beauty here?
SPS brought together 30 community representatives, nominated by the camp's leadership, and then went deeper through one-on-one interviews with ten of them, from the camp president to village and youth representatives.
The theme they heard: Mahama's greatest beauty is its people — refugees from multiple countries whose talents and cultures make the camp itself something to be proud of — along with the underused riverside where youth have already carved out a gathering place.
"Mahama is a center of beauty in Rwanda. The people who live here are themselves a unique form of beauty — they come from more than 10 countries, bringing diverse talents and cultures."
— Kwibishatse Jean Bosco, 55, president of the camp Executive Committee"The beauty of the camp starts with us, the youth. We are the ones with the energy and dedication to make the camp a center of beauty... We do not need additional labour, we have enough strength ourselves."
— Niyonkuru Ange, 26, youth leader
"We have talents, we are skilled, we can draw, and we could even redesign this camp. These abilities are not always visible to others, but if we are supported, we can showcase our artistic skills and make our camp known for its unique beauty."
— Edison, young artist
What they’re building?
If the people are the beauty, the camp should say so, visibly, at its front door. A refugee artist is designing an identity landmark for Mahama's main entrance, drawing on the colors and symbols of all twelve cultures who live there, while the Akagera riverside becomes a landscaped community gathering space with trees, flower gardens, and shaded seating — grown from youth-run nurseries that will keep greening the camp long after.
Spirit of Peace & Solidarity
Spirit of Peace and Solidarity (SPS) is a refugee-led organization in Rwanda founded by Melance Niyonizigiye.
Born from lived experiences of vulnerability and invisibility, SPS works to ensure that no one is left behind in times of hardship. The organization supports communities through collective action, environmental initiatives, and talent development, helping people move from isolation toward dignity, connection, and self-reliance.
“When people see their environment transformed, they begin to see themselves differently, not as forgotten, but as capable of creating beauty, dignity, and a future they can shape.”
- Melance Niyonizigiye