The story of  the Ubumwe center and how it was created is especially inspiring.  The two men who conceived of the idea and now run it , Frederick Ndadaramiye and Zackary Dusingizimana, both were at another PIC organization, the Imbabazi Orphanage. Zackary was a teacher and Frederick found himself there at the age of 15. Frederick was maimed during the genocide for refusing to kill others.  The Columbus Zoo and PIC paid for all  of his travel and medical expenses so that he could come to the United States and be fitted for prosthetic arms.

When you meet Frederick you are drawn to his magnificent smile. For all  that has happened to him, he has triumphed. In his own words: “The Columbus Zoo gave me a chance to be independent again and now I want to help other people who are just like me.”  And so the UCC was born to assist handicapped children and adults.

For more information about the Ubumwe Community Center, please visit their Web page on the Columbus Zoo Web site.      

For more information about Partners In Conservation, please contact Mayme Norman at Mayme.Norman@columbuszoo.org or visit their Web site.