Joyful Wamariya

Joyful Clemantine Wamariya is a prominent Rwandan-American author, speaker, and human rights advocate, born in 1988 in Kigali, Rwanda. She gained international recognition for her memoir, The Girl Who Smiled Beads, which details her harrowing experiences during the Rwandan Genocide and her subsequent journey as a refugee through several African countries before resettling in the United States.

Early Life and Education

At the age of six, Wamariya was forced to flee her home due to the genocide, eventually escaping with her sister Claire after enduring significant hardships. They spent years seeking safety across Africa before being granted asylum in the United States at the age of twelve. Wamariya began formal schooling for the first time at thirteen and later graduated from Yale University with a degree in Comparative Literature in 2014.13

Career and Advocacy

Wamariya is a passionate storyteller who uses her platform to raise awareness about human rights issues. She has spoken at numerous high-profile events, including TED talks and the Oprah Winfrey Show, where she shared her story and advocated for refugees. In 2011, she was appointed by President Obama to the board of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, becoming its youngest member.134

In addition to her writing and speaking engagements, Wamariya is involved in various initiatives aimed at fostering community and entrepreneurship. She founded 10HOUSES, a network dedicated to promoting equity and entrepreneurship, and co-founded THINGY, an online platform for creative expression.3

Literary Work

The Girl Who Smiled Beads, published in 2018, has received critical acclaim for its poignant narrative that explores themes of survival, identity, and resilience. The book not only recounts Wamariya's traumatic past but also emphasizes the importance of hope and personal growth beyond mere survival.25 It has been recognized with several awards, including the Alex Award from the American Library Association.2

Through her work, Wamariya continues to inspire audiences by sharing her journey from trauma to empowerment and advocating for a more equitable world.