Alain Munyangabe

 
It is with a very heavy heart that I have to let you know our colleague Alain Munyangabe suffered a fatal heart attack early on the 25^th December.

Alain was originally from Rwanda and came to the UK in 2004.  In his home country he had been a civil servant with the Ministry of Labour and then later worked for the United Nations Tribunal for Rwanda for three years before coming to Britain.  Alain first started working with the Refugee Council in Ipswich in 2006 as the Network Support Worker for the Voluntary Sector Refugee Network, also working part-time towards a Masters degree in Refugee Care, which he gained in 2009.

Alain moved to London and joined the Basis Project as our Training and Development Support Officer in April 2009, and had worked with us ever since. He put on our National Conference in June 2010, and was instrumental in making it a huge success in all areas – from creating a welcoming, warm atmosphere, through to agenda development and scrutiny. This resulted in a highly successful event that we understand will be remembered fondly by many in the sector for a long time.

As a colleague Alain was conscientious, passionate, committed and humble. He drew upon an extraordinary wealth of knowledge and insight in his work everyday which revealed itself both directly and indirectly.  His passion and commitment to refugees and RCOs was so important to him, and informed all he did.

 As a person Alain was a friend to all – wisely advising those around him.  He had a wonderful sense of humour and frequently delighted everyone with his originality. His love of people shone through as he struck up conversations around controversial areas with everyone he met, on for example the tube. He won the hearts of people wherever he went.

 We will miss him more than words can say. I like to think he would be dismissive of our sadness and tell us to make the most of every day, knowing that he is in a better place. 

Our concern going forward is to do what we think Alain would want us to do: that is to support his family. We will try not to dwell on our personal sadness, but to do all we can to make sure his family are supported in their grief. We are still exploring ideas on how we might support his widow and son and if you have any ideas, please let us know. We do not yet know when Alain’s funeral will be, but we will make sure further information is posted here. 

 I’m so sorry to have to share this very sad news. We are all still very shocked and grief-stricken. 

 Please leave your tributes to Alain below. We would love to hear your memories, your stories, anything you would like to share. And of course please contact us if you would like to talk to one of us.

Basis Project Manager, Emily Kippax

Update: Another blog with tributes to Alain has been set up here http://alain-m.blogspot.com

Update (12 Jan 2010): In the comments below, Patricia Garcia Lichst writes: "Thanks for the lovely times we had together and for sharing your loving thoughts about your wife and your son. Alain was so proud of Claudine’s craft initiatives." Here's an example of something made by Claudine.

 

Update: Alain's funeral will take place in London on Friday 18th February.

Church service
9:30am- 10:30am
St Boniface Roman Catholic Church, 185 Mitcham Road, Tooting, London, SW17 9PG

Funeral ceremony
11:00am- 12:00pm
Location: Lambeth Cemetery in Tooting, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London, SW17 0BY

The Funeral Reception
13:00pm- 16:00pm
At The Brix at St Matthews, St Matthews Church, Brixton Hill, SW2 1JF

 

Comments

[Penny McLean]

I am shocked and so saddened by Alain's death. I was lucky to have worked with Alain for a number of years at the Refugee Council and will miss him so very much. He was a wonderful colleague and good friend. A very warm, caring, astute, humble and sensitive human being. He had a huge heart to match his huge stature and soul.

He used to come into my office almost everyday to say hi, to joke with me or to talk to me about work or life in general, and always made me see things in a different way. He had a unique gift for using words both spoken and written and you always knew where you stood with Alain....once you understood his poetic way of communicating.

I would always look forward to reading his feature articles in the Refugee Council VSRN newsletter he wrote. He knew how to write about issues pertinent to refugee communities and was respected by so many refugee communities that he knew and worked with.

Alain would always do all he could to support refugee communities - he was committed and ultimately always wanted to see justice done, in whatever form that took.

Wherever you are Alain, i hope you are in a lovely place and at peace. Your memory will certainly live on. I feel very privileged to have known you and will miss you and think about you often.

Much love, Penny

[Esther]

So sad to hear of Alain's death! I met Alain with a friend less that a year ago and his positive atitude, sense of humour, friendliness will never be forgotten.
I am still shocked about the news but I hope his body can be flown to Rwanda as his final resting place!
Alain you went too early; I had planned with you to proof read my thesis, but unfortunately God did non allow!
My sincere condolences to his widow, son and Dad; the people he most talked about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May you rest is peace!
Esther

[R Alossi]

Iam so much in shock the learn the sad news about Alain. I still find it hard to believe. He was and still will be a man of the people wherever he is. Bless him.

He was supportive to everyone and friendly. Was very much interested to learn from other being the language or anything that would make him able to communicate with people from different corners of the world. Mostly i will miss him as we used to call each other "Bajuni".

Bajuni wherever u are i will always remember u and miss you. Every one i talk to about your passing is in shock. Let me believe where u are you are in safe hands with God almight. We Love u and will always do. Thank you. Rest in peace my brother. Bajuni(Alossi)

[Jean-Pierre Mafutala]

What sad news to hear from the Basis Project. Our hearts are broken at the loss of our dear friend, Alain Munyagabe. There are no words to tell how much we will miss ‘Alan’ as we used to call him.

I can't say when, if ever, I walked into third floor at Refugee Council – Brixton and didn't see Alan sitting on his desk smiling, laughing and of course joking. His jokes were wonderful and his laughter uplifted us if we were feeling a bit low. He was so funny and always so much fun to be around.

Our time of friendship was short, but yet, I feel that I knew him all my life. When I first met him, I thought he was always so serious minded. However, I found that he had a humour and a wit. He always had time for everyone to discuss issues that concern Refugee Community Organisations, and was always so encouraging. RCOs will miss you.

The angels opened heaven's doors for him the Christmas day 2010. That makes my heart rejoice. I also rejoice that he is safe in the sheltering arms of His Lord. What better could there be? God rest his soul and comfort his family.

Jean-Pierre Mafutala
Vice chairman of African Swahili Community Project (ASCOP)
Volunteer - Refugee Council/Brixton

[Sheila Freeman]

I first met Alain when I was invited to the Refugee Council Festive Party, in London, December 2009. I didn't know many people there, as I had only recently started with the organisation, but Alain introduced himself, took me under his wing and we chatted and danced like old friends - cutting some good shapes on the dancefloor for most of the night -I remember telling him what a funky mover he was! I then met him a couple of times at Hurley House and he was as friendly as ever.

Very shocked and saddened to hear of his death - especially at a time which when people are celebrating, which will now leave his family with very different memories of Christmas. My heart and prayers go out to his family and I hope Alain rests in peace.

Sheila Freeman
Refugees into Teaching Project
Hurley House, Leeds

[Aime Claude Ndongozi]

When I joined Refugee Council, Alain sent me a welcome email message. He didn't know me, I didn't know him. I guess he saw my name on the intranet and worked out that he and I were from the same homeland.

I remember the kind words he sent. I am now shocked he's suddenly gone! He was a good man, Alain. May he find goodness where he is! I pray for his family.

Aime Claude Ndongozi
OSS, Leeds

[Maurice Niwese]

Le départ inopiné d'Alain m'a laissé sans mots.Il a été un camarade de classe à l'Université Nationale du Rwanda au campus de Ruhengeri de 1991 à 1994. Que son âme repose dans la paix! Maurice Niwese/Belgique

[christina Tarring]

Such sad news: The last communication I had with Alain was a christmas greeting from him with the following poem:

How I see you

I know so little about you
I don't know what you've been through
I know maybe you don't get a fair chance
from those who know no better.
Man has always
excluded anything, anyone,
Different in culture, appearance,
Or for believing something
They do not understand.
Hopefully all of us will learn
To bring so many cultures
Together, to pick out the good.
That is the best in all of us.

This is my memory of Alain.. Always thinking the best of us..
Thank you Alain,

Christina Tarring

[Helen Muggeridge]

Alain, I will miss our chats in French on the 3rd Floor. To me you were a sophisticated man, sometimes mysterious,always patient, warm, articulate and fun too.

Sincere condolences to your family. We are richer for having known you,
Helen xx

[Patricia Garcia Lichst]

Dear Alain,

Your unbreakable strength, your endless resilience and your permanent solidarity with all and in particular with the powerless made of you a special person and forever a truly missing friend. All my thoughts go to Claudine and your son and I know they will remain themselves strong, as you would like them to be to continue in this uneasy journey for a fairer life.

Hopefully at that new point to which you have departed there will not be asylum seekers facing unfair policies and inhuman lengths of waiting time for them to have their legitimate status of refugees, there will not be parents lacking the enjoyment of their right to be with their families and there will not be so many lives destroyed by wars, torture and worst, by inhuman asylum policies.

Thanks for the lovely times we had together and for sharing your loving thoughts about your wife and your son. Alain was so proud of Claudine’s craft initiatives.

As we spoke last time, just three weeks ago, it is not easy to humanly understand why a person exerting his/her right to asylum has to wait for so long for his/er refugee status and be deprived of his/er life itself.

Our mourning will subside but our great memories of you as a team colleague and as a friend will be perpetuated, as we will not want to relinquish them. My most fraternal solidarity with your family, Patricia

[Vincent Frihet / Norway]

RIP mon frere et ami Alain. La fin de ton voyage sur cette nous a tous surpris et attristes. tu resteras a jmais dans nos pensees cher Alain.

See my friend

[Samuel]

Rest in peace, Alain.

[Etienne]

I was saddened by the passing of our friend and brother Alain, a man of a big heart as those who happened to know him have stated, a man who would anything to cheer up those who felt down.
Rest In Peace dear brother Alain,

Etienne

[Maria Beamont]

I want to thank you Alain for all the lovely times we had together here in Ipswich when we both worked in the SRSF offices together and socially. So many happy memories, times of shared laughter and also deep conversation. I remember you trying to teach me French and then there were the Rwandan dance moves at my birthday party. You were such a warm man, with a unique sense of humour, a loving father and loyal and hard working for your family
I can never forget you.Thank you for touching my life and making me think about things that are so very important in life. God Bless you. Maria

[Alison McQuitty]

I only met Alain a few times but he made a big impression. He came to Reading with Beatriz to help run a BASIS workshop with the staff, volunteers and Trustees of the Reading Refugee Support Group. He had us in gales of laughter while he led an "ice-breaker" involving synchronised movements of arms and legs that were definitely not synchronised ! But it definitely "broke the ice". He was a lovely man and here in Reading we are remembering him with warmth while our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.

[Emmanuel Munyambuga]

I am probably one of the people who have known Alain for a very long time. Alain’s dad, Michel Munyangabe was my teacher in primary school in the mid 1970s. By then Alain was a very small boy.

The small boy I knew was transformed into a big man, very intelligent with an exceptional sense of humour.

In England, I first met him in Cardiff, Wales where I invited him to attend the Action Learning Exchanges involving refugee representatives and other major stakeholders in the refugee sector. Later on, I invited him to attend the Home Office Integration Conference in Leeds.

Being his elder, he would come to me for advice from time to time. He would share with me his involvement with refugees in Ipswich and his ambitions to study for a Masters degree. When he moved to London, he informed me and as I was also working in the Refugee sector, he became a reliable ally. He visited my home at many occasions and we would meet for a chat around a glass of wine to catch up with many aspects of life.

Alain loved people. He was very active and always aimed to reach perfection in his work. I was the first person to receive the sad news of his passing and it pained me to break the news to his family and friends in Rwanda.

Before his sudden death, we had arranged to meet on the 26th of December but unfortunately he wouldn’t live longer to honour the promise as he always did.

I hope all his friends, work colleagues and those whose lives were transformed by his warmth and companionship will gather to give him a deserved send off when time is ripe to do so.

Emmanuel Munyambuga