Frederick has big dreams for himself, other people with disabilities

Frederick Ndabaramiye has overcome many hardships since he was young, yet he remains positive and an inspiration to others. Frederick is from Rwanda and lived there during the Rwandan genocide. When he was 15-years-old in Rwanda, he was attacked and his hands were cut off. This didn’t stop Frederick or break his spirit. He has big dreams: To keep working and showing other people with disabilities they can work too. Goodwill Northern New England helped Frederick find resources and support to achieve his goal.

When Frederick connected with Goodwill NNE in March 2014, he was working part-time at Shaw’s and looking to get more help. Chad Leighton, known at Goodwill as “The Job Whisperer”, started working with him.

In December, Ndabaramiye got a job at American Roots in Westbrook, Maine. Leighton did help Ndabaramiye find part-time and seasonal work after being furloughed, along with other resources.

“I’m very happy and very thankful to work at American Roots,” Ndabaramiye said.

Leighton said Ndabaramiye has a great support network at American Roots. While Ndabaramiye can’t sew at the uniform manufacturer, he works in quality assurance and some aspects of production.

He wishes everyone could have the opportunity to work for a paycheck, including people with disabilities.

“Work allows you to connect with other people,” Ndabaramiye said. “It will change their lives; allows them to support themselves, do the work themselves.”  

“I will have to admit that Frederick did this one on his own,” Leighton said of the American Roots job. “Frederick is a light that shines very brightly and is also a painter.”

Frederick said he paints to inspire and that it’s like therapy. For many it’s painful to forgive, Ndabaramiye said, “it’s a wound.” But for him, sharing story and forgiving helps.

He’s trying to open a place for people to meet and share “true support”, stories, art, music, and fashion shows to inspire people, especially children with disabilities. Ndabaramiye is also an author and gives talks to schools about forgiveness and hope.

“To forgive is a bridge, it is a key to life,” Ndabaramiye said. “Forgiveness is something you live with also.”

Frederick is wrapping up his time with Goodwill NNE’s services as he moves into stability. He’s working towards getting prosthetics and buying a house. He wants to continue inspiring others and showing them what they can do too.

Frederick encourages employers to hire people with disabilities.

“I was lucky because I get more opportunities to work,” he said. “If they give us the opportunity, most of us able to do it.”