Choosing Hope After Darkness: Consolee Nishimwe's Journey to Light | From Dark To Light - Episode 5

In this moving episode of From Dark to Light, Julie sits down with Consolee Nishimwe, a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

At only fourteen, she endured the unthinkable. She lost her father and three brothers, fled from home, survived brutal attacks, and carried wounds that would reshape the rest of her life.

Yet Consolee's story is not defined by tragedy. It is defined by courage, faith, and the quiet strength to keep moving forward. Through prayer, the love of her mother, and years of healing, she found the power to forgive, rebuild, and ultimately become a voice for other survivors.

This conversation gently explores her childhood before the genocide, the terror of those hundred days, and the long journey toward hope. It also offers comfort for anyone who feels weighed down by their own pain or holding onto stories they've never shared.

If you are carrying something heavy, may this episode remind you that healing is possible, and that your story still has light ahead of it.

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🌿Connect and follow Consolee Nishimwe
👉Website: https://www.kristanseaford.com/
👉Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristanseaford/
👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristan-seaford-600b2b117/

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00:00 Welcome and introduction to Consolée's story

02:41 Growing up in a loving home in Rwanda

06:22 Childhood memories that shaped her sense of safety and joy

10:15 The slow rise of tension and how hatred spread through propaganda

15:08 The night everything changed and the family fled their home

20:55 Hiding in fear and comforting her younger siblings

26:10 Moments when kindness saved their lives

31:18 The unimaginable loss of her father and brothers

36:45 Surviving extreme cruelty and the lifelong impact

41:12 How Consolée and her mother began rebuilding after the genocide

45:50 Finding forgiveness and choosing hope over bitterness

49:44 Therapy, healing, and releasing shame

52:10 What she would tell her father and siblings today

54:40 Final reflections on resilience, faith, and never losing hope

May this episode remind you that even in our darkest chapters, the human heart can rise again. You are never alone in your pain, and your story still has purpose. Healing takes time, compassion, and community. Wherever you are on your journey, may you feel seen, supported, and strengthened to keep moving toward the light.

💬 If this conversation touched your heart, consider liking, sharing it with someone who may need comfort, and subscribing to the channel. Your engagement helps these stories reach those who are struggling and searching for hope. Thank you for being part of a community that believes in compassion, healing, and the strength of the human spirit.

#FromDarkToLightPodcast #HealingJourney #Resilience #FaithAndHealing #SurvivorStories #EmotionalWellness #HopeInHardTimes #RwandanGenocide #CourageToForgive #TraumaRecovery #InspirationDaily