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Visions of Rwanda Photo Project

Thacien Kalinda

Photo by Linda Smith

Thacien Kalinda participated in the 1994 genocide. According to his own confession, he was one of several men that killed Xaverina Niragire’s son. He was only nineteen years old at the time. Prior to his confession, Thacien never told anyone about the murder of Xaverina’s son.At the end of the genocide, he was arrested on suspicion of involvement in another murder. He was tried, found innocent and released. Although he was never convicted, he still carried the guilt of the murder of Xaverina’s son in his heart. 

After his release, he voluntarily confessed to Xaverina about killing her son and asked for her forgiveness. She forgave him and the two have since formed a strong bond. Thacien now faces prosecution for the murder. His photographs show how Xaverina has helped him heal and his ability to help others in his community. The lake featured in some of his photos is the same lake in which Xaverina tried to drown herself after her family members were killed.

Thacien Kalinda
A silhouette of a young boy standing in the doorway of Xaverina’s house.
A portrait of two young girls hugging each other.
A little boy stands beside a baby goat.
After her family members were killed, Xaverina came to this lake and tried to drown herself. She asked the Lord that if he wanted her to live then he needed to help her get back to shore and miraculously she did. Thacien remembered her story and tried to illustrate it in this photograph.
Thacien looks out the window of his house.
Thacien reads and studies from the bible.
A group of men carry the casket of a young woman who died from malaria.
A little boy with his cat.
A group of young boys play together.
A young boy from Thacien's community.
Some children gather water.
Many children gather around Xaverina’s home to play.
A little girl looks into the camera.
Two children start a fire for cooking.
A woman cuts cassava for dinner.
A young woman carries a jug of water home.
A young boy catches fish in the lake.
A photograph of a paraffin lamp burning in Thacien’s home. Many people do not have electricity in Rwanda and they must use alternatives such as these lamps for light.
A young boy’s feet on the grass.
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