Blaise Iradukunda - Reuniting a Son and his Family

With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of Iradukunda Blaise, who peacefully left us in his sleep on Saturday, August 12th, 2023. After an incredible journey of self-discovery and learning, Blaise's life was tragically cut short, leaving his family in Rwanda devastated. They have endured nine long years without the embrace of their beloved son, a sacrifice made for his pursuit of education in the United States.

Blaise's story is one of resilience, dedication, and love. He traversed oceans to follow his dreams, completing his studies and achieving a Master’s in Computer Science from the University of Oregon. As he prepared to embark on a promising career at Microsoft Corporation in Atlanta, Georgia, fate intervened, robbing us of his infectious laughter and unwavering kindness.

Now, in this time of grief, we are reaching out to you, dear friends and family, in the hope that you can help us grant Blaise the farewell he truly deserves. The financial burdens of organizing a funeral are daunting, but the weight is immeasurable when it comes to uniting him with his parents who haven't seen him for nine agonizing years.

Your generosity will make a world of difference in reuniting a grieving family and honoring Blaise's memory. With your support, we can alleviate the financial strain of the funeral costs, aid in transporting his body back to Rwanda, and provide a fitting tribute that showcases the love and respect we hold for him.

Please, as you read his story and reflect on the years of separation his parents endured, consider lending your support. Every contribution, whether big or small, brings us closer to the heartfelt goal of sending Blaise home to Rwanda, a journey that will finally unite him with the parents he cherished so dearly.

We thank you from the depths of our hearts for your compassion and generosity. By joining hands, we can help mend the pain of separation and offer solace to a grieving family that yearns to bid a farewell to their son once more.

(My name is Patrick Niyongabo, and I live and work in Portland. I have been friends with Blaise since we both moved to Oregon in 2018. I am communicating regularly with Blaise's brother, Marius Kamugisha who lives in Kigali to plan how funds will be used, and to ensure that all expenses are handled appropriately. After repatriation & funeral home expenses are paid, the remaining funds will be promptly transferred to Blaise's family.)

Update 1: we are overwhelmed by your support, we doubled the goal to account for unexpected costs. Thank you so much!