Fundraiser for Children of Murdered Woman—Owners of Bayberry Beer Hall Ask for Community Help

Natalie Dennen, who along with her husband Tom own Bayberry Beer Hall in Providence, appeared on GoLocal LIVE to talk about Monday's fundraiser for the children of Mani Nkinambanzi, who lost their mother to domestic violence.

Nkinambanzi had worked at Tom's Bao Bao after coming to the United States two years ago. Yelp, along with Bayberry Beer Hall, Tom's Bao Bao, and many more community partners will be taking part in Monday's fundraiser.



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Yelp provided the perspective of Michael Colabella, the Regional Director of Tom's BaoBao, on the life and legacy Nkinambanzi.

Colabella's Remembrance

Maniriho Nkinambanzi was a remarkable person. The struggles she endured just to get to the United States would be enough to permanently take a smile from anyone's face. But not her, she had the personality and smile that changed the feeling in the room as soon as she entered.

Maniriho was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After war broke out she was forced to move her family to a refugee camp in Uganda. In the camp, she took up a job helping other families get through similar hardships she endured.

Roughly two years ago Maniriho arrived in the United States. Her new home was Providence, Rhode Island. Thanks to the help of Dorcas International and other organizations, she was able to start a new job. She began working a part-time job at the Providence Journal. However, she knew to build a better life for her children she would need a second job.

This is when I first met Maniriho. She came into Tom's BaoBao with a group of four to interview for one position. Though she was shy at first, I could see the determination and drive to be the one to win the job. From that point on she would always ask for more hours. After the training period, in which she excelled, she ended up working full time. It got to the point where I wish I could have given her more hours due to her work ethic and the joy she brought to work each day.

As she was politely asking for more hours, little did I know she was going through a separation from her husband. She ended up needing to get a no-contact order on him, due to altercations that occurred at home. Her strength was once again expressed during this time. She never showed up late for work. You could see her smile from down the street as she walked from the bus stop long before she even stepped into work. This was just her personality.

Maniriho had seven children, three of which have since passed. She left behind four, Promise (20 years old), Espoir (15 years old), Gideon (10 years old), and Joe'l (7 years old). I was lucky enough to have hired Promise to work the weekends in between her going to JobCorp in Exeter. She obviously took after her mother, her drive to help the family while working on her high school degree and training as an RNA. Maniriho's boys are very respectful, bright and full of personality. They are so innocent and you can see Mani's persona in each of them, especially when they smile. She must have been a remarkable mother to have raised such wonderful children through such hardships.

Even though her time in my life was limited and based on a professional relationship, Maniriho made an impression that will last with me forever. The way my staff all stepped up to help in any way possible following her passing is a testament to the effect she had on all of us during her short time in our life. This world has lost an angel. Rest in Peace Maniriho, you will be missed.



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