Rwanda
"The soldiers who raped me were never caught, but I have testified in the courts and on television. I'm not afraid to speak up – I hope that the lessons of war will help us secure a more peaceful future for Rwanda."
- Ernestine, Rwanda
In April, 1994, a plane carrying former Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana was shot down. The event derailed a peace agreement he had recently signed with the Rwandan Patriotic Front, led by current President Paul Kagame. Within days, Hutu militias set up roadblocks and began killing Tutsis and moderate Hutus. For three months, rebel forces fought fiercely until the Hutu militia was driven into the Democratic Republic of Congo. About one tenth of the population were killed and thousands more were displaced or wounded. At least 500,000 women were raped and 350,000 children orphaned. Fifteen years after the genocide, the people of Rwanda are struggling to achieve true reconciliation, and are deeply fearful of another outbreak of violence. Survivors and perpetrators are left to deal with their trauma in relative isolation.
Survivor Corps works with survivors of genocide who are testifying in front of the Gacaca courts, traditional local courts organized to hold perpetrators accountable and then foster forgiveness and reconciliation. These courts are considered to have great potential for reconciliation, but in many cases, the testimonies are yet another traumatic experience for survivors. Survivor Corps will train survivors of genocide to provide peer support to others in their communities who are testifying in the Gacaca courts, and to continue the process of reconciliation and healing after the Gacaca court hearings end.
Survivor Corps also works with perpetrators of violence who are being released from prison or assigned to perform community service in lieu of a prison sentence. Without support and a new direction, many return to their communities only to commit further crimes and perpetuate the cycle of violence and retribution. Survivor Corps works with these former combatants to involve them in meaningful service projects and help them build a new relationship with their communities.
Survivor Corps also works with Rwandans with disabilities, who in the past have been excluded from the decision-making process and unable to access their human rights. Rwanda recently signed the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but the effects are only beginning to be felt at the local level. Survivor Corps trains survivor advocates to stand up for the rights of persons with disabilities and hold the government accountable for fulfilling the obligations of the treaty.
Partners:
Association of Landmine Survivors and Amputees (ALSA)
ALSA is a network for landmine survivors and amputees in Rwanda. The organization links survivors to one another for support and provides programs in health, HIV/AIDS awareness, rights advocacy, and social and economic opportunity. Survivor Corps works with ALSA to promote implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention on Cluster Munitions in Rwanda.
Rwandan Association of Trauma Counsellors (ARCT-Ruhuka)
The ARCT provides counselling to survivors of the Rwandan Genocide, many of whom are struggling withpost traumatic stress disorder, traumatic memories of the three-month genocide, and lasting physical injuries. Survivor Corps has trained ARCT workers in peer support. They now use the peer support technique with survivors and teach it to other trauma counsellors.
IBUKA
IBUKA is Rwanda’s largest umbrella organization for survivors of the Rwandan Genocide. Survivor Corps will work with IBUKA to identify and train survivors who have the capacity and desire to help other survivors overcome their trauma through peer support. Survivor Corps will also train at least 3 survivors to train others in peer support so that IBUKA can bring this program to other parts of the country.
Travaux D’Interet General (TIG – "Works of General Interest")
TIG is the program through which perpetrators of the genocide in Rwanda atone for their crimes through community service. Survivor Corps and partners will train TIG staff members from 10 reintegration centers to provide peer support to the perpetrators participating in their programs. The program will then be replicated in other camps in Rwanda. By engaging district governments, Survivor Corps and partners will train and help deploy 30 community-based peer outreach workers to provide long-term support to perpetrators once they return to their communities. Survivors and perpetrators will be encouraged to work together on meaningful community service projects to rebuild their communities.
National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC)
The NURC is a government program in Rwanda dedicated to creating a peaceful, united and prosperous nation. Survivor Corps will engage the NURC to join and support survivor reconciliation projects. In addition, Survivor Corps will promote the ideals of survivor leadership and survivor rights within the NURC through the active involvement of survivors in its policy development.
Contact Information:
Albert Nzamukwereka
Survivor Corps Country Coordinator - Rwanda
Ph: 250 083 03 168
albert.nzamukwereka@gmail.com
Ahmed Martinez
Network Partnership Manager
Survivor Corps
2100 M St. NW Suite 302
Washington DC 20037
Ph: 202 250 3955
F: 202 464 0007
amartinez@survivorcorps.org
