A Women Genocide Survivors Retreat was held in August 2017 in the Southern Province of Rwanda. The retreat brought together 30 women survivors of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. It was organised by Liliane Pari Umuhoza, a former intern from Survivors Fund (SURF) who is a survivor herself, with the support of Survivors Fund (SURF).
The full report of the retreat is available here. To help illustrate the project, Liliane has produced a short film that showcases the remarkable work that was undertaken to support the women who had experienced rape during the genocide and as a consequence are HIV positive and have children born from that atrocious experience. It is available to view on the Survivors Fund YouTube channel, as well as here:
A message from Liliane Pari Umuhoza, Organizer of the Women Genocide Survivors Retreat Project:
Last summer we brought together a group of 30 women survivors of the genocide against the Tutsi for a three days retreat for the women to share their life experience and learn. Our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported the Women Genocide Survivors Retreat. Your support has made lasting impact in the women’s lives a light that drives away the darkness not only in their hearts but also in the hearts of the people around them.
I am particularly thankful to Survivors Fund (SURF) for giving me the opportunity to connect with the women and for funding some of the costs.
My deepest gratitude to the 30 women who attended the retreat and shared their life experiences with us. Thank you for healing my heart, impacting and changing my life with your stories, courage, smiles, hope, love just to mention a few. It was a GREAT honor to spend three quality days with you.
Thank You all for making this world a better place!
I hope this video touches your hearts as much as it touched mine.