378. Living Through War: From Rwanda to Refugee DEI Advocate Drocella Mugorewera

Refugee Week takes place every year across the world in the week around World Refugee Day on the 20 June. Today, we are honored to welcome Drocella Mugorewera , a corporate trainer, best selling author, and former refugee with an awe-inspiring story. Drocella takes us on an emotional journey through her tumultuous experiences during the Rwandan genocide, detailing the tragic loss of her sister's husband and the harrowing escape to the Democratic Republic of Congo with her infant son. Join us as Drocella shares invaluable insights on freedom, leadership, and the importance of empathy in healing and reconciliation. She reflects on her roles in Rwanda's government, advocating for gender and environmental sensitivity and championing impactful initiatives, including banning plastic bags and granting women land inheritance rights. In this episode, Drocella also speaks about the challenges and joys of adapting to new environments—the journey from Rwanda to Ukraine and then to the United States as a refugee in 2009. She emphasizes the critical role of kindness and community support in rebuilding lives, recounts her rise to director of the refugee agency that welcomed her, and delivers an inspiring message on the significance of diversity, inclusion, and empathy in leadership. Get ready for a heart-wrenching yet hopeful narrative that underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering importance of compassion and understanding in our global community. Be sure to subscribe, share, and join us in celebrating the unbreakable strength of individuals like Drocella Mugorewera. Drocella is an advocate for the sanctity of life and a poignant voice on the global stage, shaped profoundly by her experiences in Rwanda, a country that endured the catastrophic genocide against the Tutsi, with a devastating toll of at least 1 million lives lost. Deeply reflective, Drocella critiques those who claim to be pro-life yet fail to embrace diverse perspectives, fostering an environment where true pro-life principles are questioned. Her journey and thoughts are encapsulated in her co-authored book, "Leaders with Heart." Here, Drocella challenges leaders to genuinely uphold the value of life by being open to ideas, promoting shared growth, and understanding life not just as an abstract concept but as a lived experience full of contributions from all voices. For Drocella, life is an invaluable gift that must be cherished and protected in every corner of the world. Her advocacy is not only about preserving life but ensuring the quality and inclusivity of this precious existence, inspired by the resilience and learnings from Rwanda's tragic history. 00:00 Life is valuable, open to diverse ideas. 04:02 Respect for every human life is essential. 09:48 Returned to serve after upheaval, found support. 11:50 Rose served in various high-level government positions. 16:00 Embrace diverse ideas, trust, reassure, and respect. 17:34 Leaders need empathy, protect people, promote peace. 22:10 Learned, graduated, married, now promoting language diversity. 26:29 Value refugee's ideas, treat others with respect. 27:22 Hold accountable, remind using media, value-driven elections. 31:59 Invest in training, engage employees, celebrate results. 35:45 Grateful for refugee program support and hope. 38:23 Exciting interview process, discussed vision and benefits. 42:03 Fleeing parent secures children's future in Canada. 46:45 Volunteer work helped build lasting relationships. 48:48 Love surpasses your own, welcoming children home. 51:00 Generous support allowed us to buy car. 57:15 We value life and family, want legacy. 58:43 Generosity and caring promote peace and unity. Connect with Drocella https://www.linkedin.com/in/drocellamugoreweradia/ Connect with Reena bettercalldaddy.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts/ https://www.instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts/ https://www.instagram.com/bettercalldaddypodcast/ twitter.com/reenareena