On 7th May each year, SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda is commemorating children and staff victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

The 28th commemoration of the Genocide against Tutsi held at SOS Children’s Village Gikongoro located in Nyamagabe District in the Southern province began with the laying of wreaths at Murambi Genocide Memorial. A burial that serves as a final, dignified resting place for approximately 50,000 victims from the surrounding area including the victims of SOS Children’s Village Gikongoro.

SOS Mother Adrolata Nikuze provided a testimony of the 15 victims from SOS Children’s Villages who lost their lives in the tragic massacres. These are six children, two staff and their respective families.

Diogene Karega, Advocacy and Child Safeguarding Advisor, who represented SOS Children’s Villages at the 28th commemoration explained that the country’s tragic past should be effectively taught to the younger generations to confront the consequences of the Genocide against Tutsi.

The president of Nyamagabe District Council, Clothilde Uwamahoro thanked the Government of Rwanda for the good governance that excludes all forms of discrimination through the implementation of the “Ndi Umunyarwanda” Program (I am Rwandan program). A programme initiated to build a national identity based on trust and dignity. It aims to strengthen unity and reconciliation among Rwandans by providing a forum to people to talk about the causes and consequences of the genocide as well as what it means to be Rwandan.

In 100 days, 1,000,000 Tutsis lost their lives in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda. Each year, Rwanda is commemorating under the theme Remember – Unite – Renew over one hundred days, from 7th April up to 3rd July 2022.