Liliane Uwineza, Angel of the Month, November, 2018
Angel of the Month
ANGEL OF THE MONTH | Liliane Uwineza
NOVEMBER 2018
It is with great pleasure that we celebrate Liliane Uwineza as Angel of the Month for November 2018.
Liliane interviewed with Visiting Angels Newton/Canton in May 2017 and quickly began working with a live-in home care client that has challenging medical issues. She has been with the same client since their introduction, which speaks to her skill level and perseverance. This client was admitted to the hospital and rehabilitation a few months back and continued Liliane’s services so she would not move on to another case. The two have developed a trusting relationship and she has helped her client through many health issues.
Liliane is originally from Rwanda. She won a lottery to come to the United States for 6 months back in 2012 and permanently moved to the U.S. in 2013, residing with her cousin until she moved into an apartment with a roommate in a nearby town. Her roommate helped Liliane learn to speak English fluently by convincing her to watch TV with her and introducing her to people in the area, helping her to socialize. She also speaks her native tongue as well as French with family and friends.
Liliane graduated university in Rwanda with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. She was teaching computer science courses at a high school in Rwanda when she was given the approval to come to the U.S., becoming a citizen. During her time as a high school teacher, she realized that she wanted to become a psychiatrist, with her focus on becoming an “emotional mentor” to teens. Liliane has felt the effects of the Rwandan Civil War her whole life and realized how deeply it affected her siblings as well. She was very young when it happened and was protected, but the older generations carry the scars and still live divisively due to the genocide that began in April 1994 and ended that July. By seeking knowledge about her own family history and how the division hurt them, she realized there is not a support system or network of mental health providers for the younger generations in Rwanda to help heal the wounds of the past. She hopes to someday move back to work to provide therapy to the young and help them to come together through commonality. Her goal is to become a nurse practitioner (NP) so that she can then participate in a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program and earn her Master’s degree.
Liliane completed a CNA program in 2014 and took her first home care position in Boston (commuting from a great distance by MBTA). She learned there was much need by seniors for home caregivers and has been dedicated to her clients, ensuring she provides the best care she can offer. She will continue working with her clients with Visiting Angels Newton/Canton while pursuing her license.
Lilian asked Joanna Stull, our RN Case Manager, for a professional reference to provide with her NP admissions package to her colleges of interest. Here is a snippet of Joanna’s letter:
“There is a good reason that I rated Liliane Uweniza high in all categories. She has consistently demonstrated her abilities as an intelligent, caring and compassionate human being. Liliane is reliable and has been able to develop a warm relationship with her client who is demanding and resistant to certain aspects of in-home care. She is respectful yet gently persistent. Liliane is a dedicated, responsible CNA and will work hard to become an RN. I give her my highest recommendation.”
Lilian enjoys going out with friends and being home, reading and watching movies on her days off. Because Liliane is a live-in caregiver and is unable to attend a local church on Sundays, she is part of an online Christian church community that meets remotely/weekly, to discuss sermons and support each other through life’s challenges. The church has members in the U.S. and internationally.
Liliane, there is so much to doing this work and you do an incredible job, using all your skills, knowledge and heart. We at Visiting Angels Newton/Canton are deeply grateful to you. We are thankful to have you as a member of our team.
newton-AOM_LilianeUwineza _Nov2018.pdf
About Visiting Angels Newton/Canton:
Visiting Angels Newton/Canton MA is an award-winning local home care agency providing high caliber in-home care services to elderly and people with disabilities. Countless families have benefited from our dementia home care, Alzheimer's care, companion care, elderly care, respite support, transitional aid, and senior home care services in Needham, Dedham, Canton, Stoughton, Newton, Brookline, Chestnut Hill, Wellesley, Westwood, Watertown, Natick, Roslindale, Norwood and nearby towns . While non-medical in nature, the care provided by Visiting Angels Newton/Canton can make a big impact on your loved one's happiness and quality of life. Call us at 617-795-2727 for information.
