Film

After the Rain

Dreaming of a Stronger Roof After Floods Disrupt Her Life

We’ve partnered with disabled filmmakers globally to document how climate change is impacting people with disabilities in their communities. This is Part 2 of our story about Florentine Mukantagwera, a disabled Rwandan woman navigating washed-out roads and a collapsed home one year after devastating floods. “After the Rain” was edited by Megan Canizares.

In 2023, climate-fueled floods swept through Rwanda’s Western and Northern provinces, killing nearly 130 people and displacing thousands. For Florentine Mukantagwera, the disaster is only the latest in a life shaped by the overlapping forces of war, poverty, disability, and climate change. During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, she and her family fled to Congo, returning a decade later to a demolished home — the fragile shelter she still occupies today. As climate disasters grow more frequent, Mukantagwera and other Rwandans with disabilities face heightened risks with little protection. Yet even as storms batter her roof and landslides threaten her safety, she finds strength in her community of neighbors. “I sit here and find them providing me food and porridge,” she says. “There’s a Bible verse saying that, ‘For I was hungry, and you gave me food.’ … You cannot imagine how much that porridge relieved me.”

Watch an audio-described version of the video.

Audio description: Text appears: In Rwanda, changes in weather patterns have caused rains to be stronger and heavier.

Audio description: A flooded road with significant damage. People walk along the damaged road. Text appears: Torrential downpours have washed away roads and destroyed homes.

Audio description: Florentine Mukantagwera, from the Gakenke District, Northern Province, sits and gestures while speaking.

Florentine: My wish is to have a well-roofed house because it rains in and out.

Audio description: A flooded road next to houses. Text appears: In 2023, floods in Rwanda devastated the country’s Western and Northern provinces, leaving about 130 people dead.

Florentine: When the flood happened…

Audio description: A makeshift metal bridge over a fast-flowing, muddy stream. People work to clear mud and debris from a flooded area.

Florentine: I was here alone.

Audio description: A large section of land has been eroded, revealing a steep slope of exposed earth and rocks.

Florentine: I heard people in the mountains shouting and crying that they are dying.

Audio description: The interior of a small, sparsely furnished room. A mosquito net hangs over a bed.

Florentine: I wondered, What if my house falls on me? The whole yard was water, and it started to fall in the house through the roof.

Audio description: A view of the interior of a damaged roof. Water damage is visible. Catheline Nyiramanzi, Florentine’s neighbor, sits on a wooden bench and speaks to the camera.

Catheline: As her neighbor, I wish her a safe house because she lives in a crushed house due to its old and heavy rain.

Audio description: Florentine sits outside her house, appearing to throw a rain covering over her belongings.

Catheline: As a person with a disability, this flood and landslides have doubly affected her life.

Audio description: Interior of a simple room with a bed and a mosquito net. Text appears: During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Florentine and her family fled to Congo. Ten years later, they returned to the demolished house she lives in.

Audio description: A young man gathers leaves in a metal bowl. Text appears: Ten years ago, she lost control of her motor functions after contracting tuberculosis. She relies on her neighbors and son for survival.

Audio description: Eric Niyogisubizo, Florentine’s son, sits and speaks to the camera

Eric: I really want to continue my studies. I tried all my best, and I ended in primary six to care about my mother.

Audio description: Eric brings a bowl of food to Florentine.

Florentine: My neighbors cultivate for me without my request, and they give me beans from their houses.

Audio description: Two women bring a blanket to Florentine.

Florentine: I sit here and find them providing me food and porridge.

Audio description: Florentine sits by a small fire, preparing food.

Florentine: There is a Bible verse saying that, “For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, naked, and you clothed me. Ill, and you cared for me.” You cannot imagine how much that polish relieved me.

Audio description: The Disability Justice Project logo, featuring a bright yellow letter D with a triangular play button in the center, appears on a black background.

Filmmaker: Francine Uwayisaba

Francine Uwayisaba is a field officer at Rwanda Union of Little People (RULP) and is in charge of the organization’s communications. She writes grants, manages RULP’s social media, and composes articles and weekly updates for the website. She earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication from the University of Rwanda and has been a freelance contributor to the Disability Justice Project since the fall of 2022. She is trained in basic sign language; disability inclusion in HIV interventions; disability, sexuality, and rights; and gender balancing. She also works as an actor in dubbing movies from international languages to Kinyarwanda.

After the Rain

Filmmaker: Francine Uwayisaba

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