Umutoni Penuella lives in a part of Kigali, Rwanda called Indera. She is the second of four children born to her parents, Alexis and Frida. Alexis (born in 1981) grew up in Burundi where his family fled during unrest in Rwanda in 1959. As a refugee in Burundi, getting an education was not easy, and Alexis’ education ended at 6th grade. His family returned to Rwanda after the genocide in August of 1994, where he eventually met his wife, Frida. Frida also grew up as a Rwandan refugee, but in the country of Tanzania, where her family fled in 1959. Her parents were not able to support her education, and she stopped going to school after the 5th grade. Her family returned to Rwanda in 1995, also after the genocide. Alexis and Frida have four children: Jururyiwacu Iris, Umutoni Penuella, Umuragwa Jehovan, and Abe Isakal Tresor.

Penuella was born in December of 2014 and is Alexis and Frida’s second daughter. As of August 2026, she is going into sixth grade. Penuella’s favorite subject is English and she wants to be a soldier when she grows up. In her free time, Penuella enjoys riding bicycles. Her parents say she is a fast worker, and is always quick to accomplish tasks.

Alexis is currently the sole breadwinner for his precious family of six. Alexis creates hand-crafted and carved wooden 3D plaques, plastered over with cow dung, dried, and then painted in very beautiful designs which he sells at an arts and crafts market. He has been doing this since around the year 2012. This helps him provide for his family, but managing to put food on the table, pay rent, and send each child to school is a real challenge.

Alexis and Frida are both passionate about their children receiving the opportunity they could not afford: A proper education. Alexis hopes to see his children in school and learning languages like English and French, so they will not struggle with the language barriers that caused him to miss so many opportunities in life. Penuella’s parents want her and her siblings to have radiantly bright futures.

Both Alexis and Frida used to sing in the Baho Church choir before the closure of thousands of churches in Rwanda beginning in July of 2024, but they continue to praise their Lord Jesus from their home and the homes of other church members whenever they get a chance. Their involvement in Baho Church has given them a renewed hope and love for life.

On the day that they shared their story, Alexis was wearing a shirt that said “Yobu 28:28.” Job 28:28 says: “And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

As these parents raise their children with the wisdom and understanding that comes from the Lord, please consider coming alongside them in their desire to see Penuella receive a proper formal education.