CWS Refugee Stories from Across the Decades:
Frank Minani, Rwanda -- 1995
Frank Minani lost his wife and son-in-law in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In the chaos, he was separated from several of his seven children, until they all found each other many months later in a refugee camp.
In 1995, Minani, his children, ages 8 through early 20s, and baby granddaughter Gigi resettled in the United States under CWS auspices. They were welcomed to Kingsport, Tennessee, by Bridge Refugee Services and cosponsor First Broad Street United Methodist Church.
When they arrived, Minani and his children were fluent in French and several African languages, but not English. They quickly immersed themselves in studies. Today, all seven children are either in college or have graduated. Among them, Theo earned his Doctor of Medicine and Jay his Master of Science from East Tennessee State University.
“It was God’s blessing to have nice people like Church World Service and First Broad Street United Methodist Church to sponsor our resettlement,” Frank said. “Without their help and support nothing, including the children’s education, would have been possible. Good luck – and happy anniversary for CWS.”