Tue 24 Mar 2009
Odette Nahayo
Posted by andrewdasein under All Quiet on the Quaker Front
1 Comment
This week we have been morning the death of my dear friend Odette, who passed away last week following complications from a pregnancy. A memorial service was held for her on Friday attended by hundreds of people, an outpouring of support that showed the depth of her connection to those around her.
Odette was highly engaged in her community, leading a weekly support group for women in Kamenge Friends church for the past eight years, raising four wonderful children, and being a very loving companion to her husband. She had also recently completed a degree in Christian leadership and had begun facilitating workshops with the Friends Woman’s Association on trauma healing and HIV/AIDS, for which seemed to have a natural gift.
I remember many happy memories of the time we spent together – meals, conversations, traveling, her teaching Gabe and me how to make ugali. I also really admired her deep commitment to integrity, which she put into practice even when, on perhaps the most important exam in her student career, many of the other students were cheating and encouraging her to, and when the outcome would have serious consequences for her education and job prospects.
When I was at the AVP International Gathering with Odette last fall, in one workshop we were asked to wander aimlessly around a room and then, suddenly, to find someone we identified with and admired, and as it happened Odette and I instantly found each other and stood with our arms around each other. The facilitators asked us to explain why we choose each other, and I remember talking about how I had seen the joy with which she lived her life but most of all the deep love which she held for her family and her husband Adrien. Like so many others here, I will greatly miss her, and will continue to be inspired by her example and spirit.
July 15th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
It is with deep sorrow that I learn (today) about the the passing away of Odette Nahayo. (My wife is also called Nahayo, and I just surfing the internet to find out if there is anyhting on the net wi that name and here I found the sad news). I taught her class twice, the firt time in a counsellling psychology course and for the second time a philosophy of religion course. She was one of the smart students I ever taught at Hope Africa University in Bujumbura, Burundi. In those courses, she either scored an A or A-. She was a hardworking woman, despite her many responsibilities. She was among the few students who never complained learning in English in french speaking country of Burundi because she never allowed anything to come in between her education. Language was never to become a barrier as long as it could be learned. I will miss her. Just like many other people who do not understand why the Lord took her soon after completing her degree, I do believe He (the Lord) holds the answer. To her husband (Adrien) and chlidren, always remember that the Lord is good all the times and that He will look after you throughout. He will fill the gap that Odette leaves in your lives and family. Be strong and take courage. I share your pain(Isaiah 40:28-31)
Egide B.