I was part and parcel of the formation of some of the NGOs and also a member of for instance, the Federation of Muslim Women

I have always joined organisations to serve. I derived great joy – and some moments of sorrow – during my more than two decades of membership. It has never been an easy road, but it was travelled with commitment and determination in the secure knowledge that this party was the better one for our country.

You know it was as a result of my participation with non-governmental organisations (NGO) in the state, that actually brought me out and that was how I even got the recognition of some of the international agencies. That was how government and some international agencies got to know about me and really involved me in their activities.

The organization went from strength to strength and I am glad to say is still in existence and carrying out good works to this day

:Because I've been working with various non-profit groups—

I feel extremely fortunate to be recognised by many organisations from different parts of the world.

I had been a devoted IWW, but my activities in the Workers Defense Union also brought me into contact with Socialists, anarchists, trade unionists, Communists, suffragists, pacifists, liberals, Indians, Irish nationalists and official representatives of both the Soviet and Irish Republics.

Ever since I came to Rwanda, I’ve been working with different NGOs in areas related to filming. As of now, I can say that filming is already part of my everyday life.

I got to meet and learn from world leaders in politics, business and civil society. Their feedback and input still motivates me to continue the work I’m doing around economic development on the continent.

I was beginning to get very interested in my groups. I saw a possibility of continuing the work.

Look here I am today, a minister and have actively participated in the liberation of the country.

I felt I could do more on the outside, which I continued to do working for long-term care and integrated services for children.

And then meanwhile, the AIDS crisis is going on. There's a ton of activism, and some of my friends were a little bit older and were already going downtown to Act Up meetings. So I started doing that and that was really how I came into queer life, through that kind of radical organising. That was a really exciting place, because it was people working together across their differences to make change. It was a coalition: lots of different people working together with a shared enemy. It's a model which is obviously super relevant today.

My life has been a bit special, this is true. I participated in the liberation of my country. I was one of the organisers of its struggle for liberation. I likewise actively participated in all the struggles for liberation.