On 21 December 2025, Survivors Fund (SURF) in Rwanda partnered with Nu-Vision Optical to bring essential eye care services to older genocide survivors in Nyamasheke and Rusizi Districts. This one-day outreach provided urgently needed support to more than 320 elderly survivors, many of whom have long struggled with age-related vision problems and limited access to professional care.
The initiative, part of Nu-Vision Optical’s corporate social responsibility programme, offered free eye screenings, reading glasses, bifocals, medications, and referrals for further treatment where required. For many survivors, this service represented one of the few opportunities to receive professional eye care – a critical need given the challenges of aging, rural living, and financial hardship.
A representative from Nu-Vision Optical highlighted the importance of the partnership:
“Good vision is essential to dignity, independence, and quality of life. Through this outreach, we wanted to ensure that older survivors—who have already endured so much—receive the care they deserve. Partnering with SURF allows us to reach communities that are often left behind.”
For many survivors, the impact was immediate and deeply personal. One participant shared:
“I have struggled to read or recognise faces for many years. Today, for the first time, I can see clearly again. This has restored my confidence and my ability to live independently.”
Another survivor added:
“The pain in my eyes had become part of my daily life. Receiving treatment and glasses has brought me relief and hope.”
Survivors Fund (SURF) in Rwanda has consistently prioritised interventions that directly improve quality of life for survivors of the Genocide Against the Tutsi, particularly those most vulnerable due to age and health constraints. Vision impairments can profoundly affect daily functioning, independence, and social participation. By partnering with Nu-Vision Optical, SURF was able to reach survivors in communities that are typically underserved by health services.
Participants welcomed the outreach with gratitude. Many expressed relief at receiving glasses and medications that will enable them to better perform everyday tasks, read, and remain engaged with their families and communities.
This successful collaboration underscores the power of partnerships between civil society organisations and healthcare providers to deliver impactful, community-centred support. SURF Rwanda extends heartfelt thanks to Nu-Vision Optical and all volunteers whose dedication made this outreach possible.
Moving forward, SURF will continue to advocate for expanded healthcare access and support services that respond to the evolving needs of genocide survivors across Rwanda.