From Despair to Healing | Finding Peace and Purpose Beyond War and Addiction | by Murindangabo Rugaragara | Inspiring Story #200 -

From Despair to Healing | Finding Peace and Purpose Beyond War and Addiction | by Murindangabo Rugaragara | Inspiring Story #200

 War shattered his world, leading him into the grip of addiction. In a foreign land, he found a path to healing and hope. Follow one manโ€™s journey from despair to purpose, and discover the strength to overcome your own challenges.

Every night was the same. I went to the bar to drink. This bar didnโ€™t have glass shelves, comfortable chairs, and soft lighting like the bars city people go to. Us refugees sat out in the open, on plastic chairs, our sandals sinking into the dirt. Some days Iโ€™d go to the bar before the sun went down. Iโ€™d drink day and night without returning to my family tent. Alcohol was the only thing that numbed the suffering.

My Happy Life Turns Into Despair

My  name is Murindangabo Rugaragara, and I am from the Munyamurenge tribe.  Nine years ago, my whole world changed.  My happy life with my wife and eight children turned to tragedy when racial tensions broke out in our village.  Fighting turned to fierce war . My relativeโ€™s house went up in flames.  Then the angry mob burnt our home to the ground.  They stole our 45 cows and went on a rampage to kill.   Amidst chaos and flames I escaped with my family.  Sadly, my younger brother failed to escape. I found his body chopped in pieces. 

Devasted, we walked through mountains and thick bushes for weeks to the Bunagana border.  To survive, we drank water from the ground and ate avocado, and fresh cassava that we uprooted.  We also stopped over at Christian churches.  They kindly served us food and we even spent a night before continuing our journey the next day.

Surviving War, Succumbing to Addiction

We made our way to the Uganda Nakivale refugee settlement.  We finally had a place to live. Water, food, healthcare, beddings ,shelter, clothings.  We felt lucky.  But the bad memories were stamped on my mind.  Many horrors remained taunting me day and night.  Iโ€™d get drunk, forget the agony and loss of hope for a few hours.  Then Iโ€™d wake up to the recurring nightmare again.  My wife and children were badly affected by my habit.  Instead of showing up and sharing love, I made noise, waking everyone up every night.

Early one evening, on my usual journey to the bar, I passed a young man โ€“ his name was Phillips.  He greeted me with a warm smile and kind eyes.

โ€œUncle, where are you going?โ€ He asked.

โ€œIโ€™m headed to the bar.โ€

Then Phillips said something to me, Iโ€™ll never forget.

 โ€œUncle, you look to be suffering terribly.  Your suffering is originating from your thoughts.  Instead of going to the bar tonight, I invite you to join me on a healing journey.  Youโ€™ll find some comfort for your trauma.โ€

Finding Healing For My Trauma

I looked at Phillip's face, his eyes were sincere.  I thought of the bar and the alcohol.  What Phillips proposed sounded pure.  So I went with him.  That night changed my life and set me on a different path.   

I joined a place with other refugees dealing with trauma.  Phillips explained how the Healing Circle worked.  And every week we gathered together.

I have learned to forgive myself, love myself and understand that the right use of thought is the answer.   Now I understand that focusing my thoughts on drinking alcohol didnโ€™t relieve my trauma. Drinking the liquid did not create a good feeling. I had a good feeling when I made the decision to go to the bar, but that feeling never lasted. 

After I understood where the feeling was coming from, I became stronger, able to stand up to the urges of going to the bar.   Separation of thought and feeling is not true. Only changing my thoughts brought higher wisdom that created a lasting, deep spiritual peace. Understanding this has liberated me to be free of addiction. 

Finding Peace and Purpose Beyond Addiction

I am now a counselor sharing with others in Nakivale about understanding and seeing beauty in their life.   Instead of going to the bar sitting around drinking alcohol,  I have become a role model for others in the settlement.  Just like Phillips invited me that early evening, now I invite others to join our Healing Circle too.  My family is happy too.  We love each other and feel free.

For you today, who are suffering terrible trauma and looking for some comfort and hope.  I wish that my story helps you.  Like many of the other stories here have helped me too.   If you are facing hardship, and rely on alcohol to relieve your pain, then remember my story.  Itโ€™s possible to overcome.



Meet Murindangabo Rugaragara

Murindangabo Rugaragara survived war's devastation, losing his home and family to violence in his native village.

Escaping to a refugee settlement in Uganda, he battled addiction, finding solace through a healing circle.

Today, he inspires others, sharing his journey from despair to purpose and advocating for peace and healing.

Please connect with Murindangabo Rugaragara by leaving a comment below, or reaching out to Healing Health Healing Hearts, Nakivale refugee settlement Uganda here.


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Share the Inspiration
  • Renata Feyen says:

    It’s good that he found peace. Sharing his story might help others know how to cope with those haunting thoughts

  • Richard Lowe says:

    This is an inspiring story. I am glad you were able to find peace and healing, and can help others.

  • It really had been a roller coaster through both war, and personally drama. Thanks a lot for sharing this story and I think it will inspire a lot of readers about getting through tough times. – knycx journeying

  • I’m sorry this happened, but good you found peace and recovered from this. Thank you for sharing this with us. God give you peace and happy life.

  • Thanks for sharing this very inspirational story! Once someone can overcome addiction, they can be helpful to others with similar circumstances because they truly understand.

  • LisaLisa says:

    What an inspiring story, we never know what others are dealing with but it’s so great to read he’s found peace and healing. God Bless him!!

  • Emily says:

    Healing from intense trauma can be such a difficult thing to overcome! What an inspiring story for those who might be going through something the same (or similar).

  • Stephanie says:

    What a beautiful and inspiring story! One can suffer quite greatly and find the strength to come out by helping others. Thank you for sharing.


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    Hi, I'm karletta marie.

    JOIN and get your free digital magazine with inspiring stories straight to your inbox PLUS tools to start creating your beautiful life.