SUR VIV " The genocide in Rwanda is being fictionalised in films and novels A now, but nothing conveys the L terrible suffering of the victims as AGAINS powerfully as their own words. SURVIVAL AGAINST THE ODDS I feel that one of the most important things we can do is T keep on telling the stories, so TH survivors know that their words Often called 'the land of a thousand hills' or 'the Switzerland of Africa', E have value and meaning, and that Rwanda erupted in unspeakable ODD we will never stop caring about violence for 100 days in 1994 as the them." interahamwe, or ‘those who kill S Lindsey Hilsum together’, inflicted torture, slaughter International Editor, Channel 4 News and rape across the country. Patron of SURF This book documents the lives of those who survived the genocide. This book is their story – bravely told so that the world would know with no uncertainty what had happened in a book of testimonies from survivors the Rwanda. a book of testimonies from survivors R wandan of the Rwandan g enocide genocide Survivors Fund (SURF) www.survivors-fund.org.uk SURVIVAL AGAINST THE ODDS A Book of Testimonies from Survivors of the Rwandan Genocide Produced by Survivors Fund (SURF) with generous assistance from The Funding Network. CONTENTS FOREWORD 1 THE TESTIMONY OF ALINE 30 by Mary Kayitesi Blewitt THE TESTIMONY OF FERIDINA 34 INTRODUCTION 4 by Lindsey Hilsum THE TESTIMONY OF GAUDENCE 38 BACKGROUND 6 THE TESTIMONY OF CLARE 44 by Mary Kayitesi Blewitt and David Russell MARY’SSTORY 48 ABANDONED BY THE WORLD 8 by Katharine Quarmby and Mary Kayitesi Blewitt AFTERWORD: LETTERS OF THANKS FROM SURVIVORS 52 REMEMBERING THE SURVIVORS 16 messages edited by David Russell ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 58 and Anne McFerran CHRONOLOGY OF THE GENOCIDE 64 PERSONAL STORIES: SURVIVAL AGAINST THE ODDS 19 ABOUT SURVIVORS FUND 68 THE TESTIMONY OF VALENTINA 20 THE TESTIMONY OF DAPHROSA 24 A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT THIS BOOK This book is dedicated to Clare Alphonsina The general background provides factual and to all ‘Clares’ who survived the horrific information about the genocide. The section experiences of the Rwandan genocide, but entitled Abandoned by the World is a living who subsequently died from its legacy. Many history of the genocide, relating the factual women like her are racing against time to tell occurrences of 1994 with the actual stories of their stories as a historical record. They hope those who survived. Remembering the to educate the world about the dangers of Survivors highlights the impact of a SURF crimes against humanity in the belief that the event in Trafalgar Square where women from world will not be indifferent to the suffering of the UK read aloud the testimonies of women humankind. survivors of the genocide. This book is divided into sections, all of which The Testimonies of Valentina, Daphrosa, shed light on the Rwandan genocide in a Aline, Feridina, Gaudence and Clare are the slightly different manner, although they often stories of the survivors themselves. The overlap in topic or specific content. This words are their own, shared with the world to intentional cross-over was done in order to make sure the truth of the genocide is ensure that readers appreciate the full impact recorded in history. Their testimonies are of and magnitude of the genocide, the great importance to the survivors. We hope horrendous effect it had on the lives of the we have done them justice in this book. victims and the survivors, and the immediate call to aid the remaining survivors. FOREWORD BY MARY KAYITESI BLEWITT or many survivors in Rwanda today, 1994 and the oldest was 71. Some women there is no life after genocide. Many were pregnant at the time of the rapes and F have lost their extended families, the others became pregnant as a result of them. backbone to African society’s existence. Many more, especially those women raped There is also a chronic shortage of adequate and those children orphaned, continue to lead housing for survivors. Either they do not a uniquely troubled existence. Many feel have homes of their own, or their houses their survival is its own form of torture. They were destroyed during the genocide. They are desperately impoverished, commonly need to know that their children, most of infected with HIV/AIDS and often responsible whom have no relatives, or a few for large families. So the positive impact of impoverished ones, will not be homeless after counselling and medical support, income- they are no longer there for them. generating initiatives, vocational training, education and house-building programmes is The overwhelming preoccupation for both being offset by the legacy of genocide: in widows and orphan-headed households is particular untimely and unnecessary deaths the struggle to provide for their children's from HIV/AIDS. everyday needs. Some also have to contend with children who require special care as a Poverty is a major constraint upon the ability result of the trauma they endured during the of survivors to rebuild their shattered lives genocide. Not only did these youngsters after genocide. They share a collective witness extreme instances of violence being predicament – they feel as if they are carried out on close relatives and people all drowning in crisis after crisis, none of which around them, but some had to watch as their can be easily solved. But unless they can mothers were raped. It would be difficult to establish some economic security, survivors overestimate the importance of social will remain utterly dependent upon networks in sustaining individuals in countries government or charitable aid for every aspect like Rwanda, where state provision for health of their lives. Not only does this destroy their and social services is limited and employment confidence and self-esteem on a day-to-day and housing are scarce. level, it also creates profound insecurity. Those who are most isolated are the women 1 Another common problem faced by the who have borne children as a result of being survivors is trauma. Thousands of raped: their families reject both them and traumatised people are supported by only a their children. Rejection by their few handful of trained counsellors. Women of all surviving relatives is a source of ages were vulnerable to rape; the youngest unimaginable emotional distress, and their victim we know of was just six-years old in isolation is increased by the stigma of rape. FOREWORD BY MARY KAYITESI BLEWITT FOREWORD BY MARY KAYITESI BLEWITT able to collect a few of their stories here. secure some closure, as they finally bury their Orphelins Chefs de Ménage), Survivors Fund ‘The onus lies on both Rwanda But whether young or old, infected by dead with some dignity. helps survivors to relay their experiences. It HIV/AIDS or not, the outlook they share is remains vital that these voices are heard, that and the international bleak. Survivors do not expect to live long. The onus lies on both Rwanda and the the memory of genocide does not fade, and community to ensure the will Their greatest fears are for their children. international community to ensure the will and that the victims and survivors of the genocide Opportunities for victims to improve their lives the resources are there to support justice for are never forgotten. We hope that this book and the resources are there to are scarce and their troubles are very real. survivors. Only when justice has been will help to secure those aims. support justice for survivors. Their ill health prevents them from thinking served will there be healing and respect for about the future. Instead their minds remain human rights. To seek to short-circuit this WE MUST LEARN LESSONS FROM Only when justice has been persistently focused on the genocide and the process is to risk seeing history repeat itself. RWANDA'S EXPERIENCE. served will there be healing bitterness and pain associated with it. One of the few heartening facts to emerge and respect for human rights. The scars of the genocide remain raw, with from Rwanda today is how survivors draw Mary Kayitesi Blewitt To seek to short-circuit this survivors still having to do daily battle with support from each other, through local Founder and Director grief, pain and suffering. Mutual suspicion survivors' groups that bring together orphans, Survivors Fund (SURF) process is to risk seeing and tension is ever present amongst the widows and the most needy survivors. history repeat itself.’ people of Rwanda. The situation is Through groups like AVEGA (Association des exacerbated by the painfully slow justice Veuves du Genocide d'Avril 1994), The system, which offers little comfort to Solace Ministries and AOCM (Association des survivors. The International Criminal Tribunal They feel they have lost their dignity, are for Rwanda (ICTR) has only secured the alone and utterly powerless. conviction of a handful of the genocidaires. Survivors have no right to pursue civil actions Rape has also increased, as it still does, the within the ICTR, and vulnerable witnesses spread of HIV/AIDS. Over time, survivors receive neither physical nor psychological have gradually been alerted to the risk of the support. deadly disease and some have taken a test. Around 70% of the women tested are HIV Genocide is a crime against humanity, which positive. Emotional, financial, social and must be recognised through the justice practical obstacles deter women from wanting system. Perpetrators have to be made to to discover their HIV status. Yet the relatively take full responsibility for their actions. Only high incidence of HIV infection in Rwanda at when this is the case can reconciliation and the time of the genocide, coupled with the national reconstruction in Rwanda truly begin.