A Journey of Resilience and Hope
Victor Zinda’s life story is a powerful testament to resilience, perseverance, and the strength of the human spirit. Born in 1968 to a family of ten children, he was initially free from any disability. However, his early years took a dramatic turn when he fell seriously ill as a baby. Around the age of one, he contracted measles, and while still recovering, he was infected with polio. This dual illness left him permanently disabled, setting the stage for a life filled with challenges.
Zinda’s parents were living in exile in Uganda at the time, and it wasn’t until later that they discovered the extent of his condition. Traditional and medical treatments had failed, and by the time he was five or six, he was completely crippled. An operation was attempted to help him regain mobility, but it proved unsuccessful. His legs contracted again, and he returned to crawling. From then on, he moved using his hands, often without sandals or shoes.
“During the rainy season, I crawled through mud. When it was sunny, the soil burned my hands,” he recalls. The physical challenges were compounded by societal attitudes. Many doubted whether he would survive childhood, and some even advised his parents to prepare him for begging. Despite this, his father remained determined to send him to school.
At around ten years old, when a local school opened offering only Primary One and Two, Zinda began the daily journey of crawling 30 to 60 minutes each way. “I would arrive sweating, rest a bit, then join the class, and coming back was the same.” While the school experience was mixed—some students laughed at him, others sympathized—his intelligence shone through. Teachers noticed his academic potential, and over time, classmates began seeking his help. “I was smart in class, and that helped me gain friends. I could write well, and others asked me to help them.”
Zinda credits his academic success and the unwavering support of his parents and siblings for keeping him in school despite the obstacles. He completed his O-Level studies at St. Maria Goretti Senior Secondary School, followed by A-Levels at Makerere High School. Later, he earned an advanced diploma in accounting from Nkumba College School.
In 1994, shortly after the Genocide against the Tutsi ended in Rwanda, Zinda returned with his family. “We came two months after the new government was sworn in.” Despite his education, he faced repeated job rejections due to his disability. Some employers cited practical concerns, such as the presence of stairs in their offices, while others simply ignored him.
After several years, he enrolled at Kigali Institute of Education (now the University of Rwanda), where he studied business administration from 2007 to 2011. Since graduating, he has worked at Faith Victorious Association, a local non-profit organization that supports communities in fighting poverty, improving health, protecting the environment, and promoting the rights of women and children. He has served there for 14 years as Head of Administration and Human Resources.
Zinda also faced rejection in his search for love, often due to his disability. His shy proposals sometimes made things more difficult. In 2006, a pastor who was also disabled gave him a wheelchair and shared his own story, encouraging Zinda to stay hopeful and not give up. Inspired by the pastor’s words, Zinda changed his approach to relationships. In 2007, he met the woman who became his wife, and they married in 2008. They now have four children.
Over the years, Zinda has been invited to share his testimony at churches and community events, highlighting how he overcame adversity to complete university and become a community leader. These experiences inspired him to write a book titled The Tested Life of Unceasing Hope. “I wanted people going through challenges like disability, unemployment, sickness, or depression to know they are not alone. I also went through depression and even considered suicide, but I thank God I didn’t.”
Zinda actively raises awareness about polio and disability rights. He encourages parents to vaccinate their children and urges communities to support people with disabilities rather than mistreat or hide them. His advocacy aligns with ongoing efforts in Rwanda to combat polio.
Rotary Club Rwanda, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, organized the annual Rotary Walk against Polio 2025 on Sunday, October 19, during Car-Free Day in Kigali. The event aims to raise awareness about polio eradication. According to Dr. Alexis Muderevu, Chairperson of the Rotary Polio Plus Programme in Rwanda, the walk will start at BK Arena and proceed to Kigali Convention Center, showcasing the collective effort to eliminate polio.
This event is part of the observance of World Polio Day on October 24. During a media briefing on October 17 at the Kigali Public Library in Kacyiru, Dr. Muderevu explained that the polio virus spreads mainly due to poor hygiene. Once it enters the body, it affects the nervous system and can cause permanent paralysis. He listed symptoms such as fever and headaches, noting that there is no medication to cure the disease. While polio can be prevented through vaccination, he emphasized the importance of raising awareness about hygiene and sanitation.
Polio once caused widespread disability in Rwanda, but the introduction of the Oral Polio Vaccine in the 1980s and strong national immunization campaigns led to the last wild poliovirus case in 1993, said Rotarian Alefe Meresa, polio data expert. He added that Rwanda was certified polio-free in 2004 and has since maintained over 95% vaccination coverage. In 2023, the country vaccinated 2.7 million children under seven in response to regional outbreaks.
Julie Mutoni, Vice President of the Rotary Club Kigali Golf, noted that if Rwanda lets its guard down, polio could return. She said they are working with the Ministry of Health and partners to keep awareness high and efforts ongoing. In Rwanda, every baby gets vaccinated against polio as part of the national immunization programme, and the country keeps a close watch through consistent surveillance to detect and stop any cases early.
