Hope for genocide survivors in Rwanda

 

A young child walking on a mass grave after the 1994 genocide in Rwanda

A young child walking on a mass grave after the 1994 genocide in Rwanda

 

COMMUNITY HEALING

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us ( 2 Corinthians 1:4)

Twenty-eight years after the genocide against the Tutsis, wounds are still fresh as if they happened yesterday. Regardless of the efforts made by different stakeholders, it is obvious that much work is still needed to reach true healing and reconciliation. In this regard, during the commemoration period, especially the month of April, A Cup for Humanity invested many efforts in instilling hope in the heart of Rwandans.

As different events were happening around the country, A cup for humanity was invited to speak and share the experience on how people can rise from ashes to a place of beauty and glory. We attended different events, namely, the youth overnight conference at Evangelical restoration church Kimisagara, the annual cell week convention which was attended by more than two thousand people, the ‘‘ Let hope arise concert in Kigali’’ and lastly a special service to remember the victims of the genocide which was organized by Christ gospel church in Kigali.

Representing A Cup for Humanity, Paul Mutama Sebasaza delivered a message of hope which is found in Jesus Christ. He emphasized the fact that human life is a sacred and precious gift that should be preserved by all means. Paul Mutama shared his testimony on how he lost his father and could not get the opportunity to lay him to rest until today. A horrible experience that haunts many genocide survivors.

Despite unspeakable sufferings, God offers hope through Jesus Christ who himself suffered under human conditions.

Being a survivor himself, Paul shared how together with his wife, Marie Blanche a genocide survivor who lost all members of her family(both parents and six brothers, and sisters), they managed to forgive and promote love and reconciliation instead of revenge.

In the light of Bible texts such as Isaiah 40:1-2, Paul stated that our God does not only defend his people but he suffers with them.

During all the occasions, survivors demonstrated hope for a better Rwanda as well as its surrounding region which has been a theatre of war and genocide for decades.

A cup of humanity is committed to organizing many other events in the line of developing a nonviolent generation.

Finally, we thank all Dutch churches and individuals who donate their money to support this life-changing mission.

At a special Sunday service to remember victims of the genocide against Tutsis in Kigali At a special Sunday service to remember victims of the genocide against Tutsis in Kigali