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SAUTI ART RWANDA JEAN DAMASCENE SIMUBARA’S JOURNEY
Jean Damascene Simubara, an orphan of the Genocide against the Tutsi, initially engaged in peacebuilding efforts in 2011 with the hope that it would help his personal healing. In 2012, he joined Never Again Rwanda’s Space for Peace, where he began sharing his own journey and helping others heal, regardless of their differences.
“I carried wounds from losing numerous family members, including my parents and siblings. I yearned for someone to share my story with. Simply having someone who would listen was enough. But step by step, I realized that we could employ art to heal others like me, particularly young people.”
“I could have chosen a different path, perhaps business, but I couldn’t ignore the healing power of art, the peace it brought me, and the potential to inspire healing in others. It felt as though I was destined to elevate art to new heights,” Simubara said.
Since then, Simubara has dedicated his life to peacebuilding, using art as a vehicle to teach individuals how to cope with and overcome their wounds. “I made the conscious decision to focus solely on peacebuilding because I cannot imagine where my life would be without peace of mind.”
His approach has proven beneficial for young people, as music and art serve as powerful tools to engage them. “Today’s youth are not attracted by things that bore them. By communicating with them through art, it becomes easier to capture their attention,” Simubara explains.
Sauti Art Rwanda, which he founded alone has expanded from a small group of 30 members to 80. They have also established affiliated clubs in secondary schools, encompassing a total membership of approximately 700 individuals. “The more we expand, the stronger we become,” he adds.
Through his unwavering commitment to art and peacebuilding, Simubara has made a profound impact, inspiring healing, and creating positive change among countless young individuals.