A traumatised youth is helped during a past commemoration event. Survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi found it hard to commemorate this year due to the lock-down meant to curb the spread of COVID-19. (The New Times)

Mental Health and Covid-19

By Nasra Bishumba, The New Times Almost a year since Rwanda confirmed its first Covid-19 case, mental health experts in organisations of the survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi say that mental illness challenges have been exacerbated by … Continue Reading »

An AVEGA-Agahozo member receives a Kitchen Garden to help ensure a regular supply of food during the COVID-19 restrictions

New UK Aid Direct Grant

Survivors Fund (SURF) and AVEGA Agahozo have been awarded a new UK Aid Direct grant to directly respond to the impact of COVID-19. This is a UK Government challenge fund that supports civil society organisations to be a force for … Continue Reading »

Older Genocide Widow

International Day of Older Persons

1st October marks the International Day of Older Persons, on which UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres comments: “The COVID-19 pandemic is causing untold fear and suffering for older people across the world. Beyond its immediate health impact, the pandemic is putting … Continue Reading »

ICTR Demonstration

The Arrest of Félicien Kabuga

Félicien Kabuga: Rwanda genocide survivors happy with arrest From BBC News Online Rwandan genocide survivor groups have welcomed the arrest in France of one of the most wanted men accused of being behind the mass killings. Félicien Kabuga, 84, was … Continue Reading »

EVKEP IGA Group

Julianne

SURF was awarded last year a grant of CHF 89,250 by the Addax & Oryx Foundation to deliver, in partnership with AVEGA Agahozo, the Empowering Vulnerable Genocide Widows in Karongi District to Alleviate Extreme Poverty (EVKEP) Project. The project was … Continue Reading »

Marie is one of the AVEGA members who benefited from the SEP project

Survivors Empowerment Project

In January 2019, Survivors Fund (SURF) was awarded a grant by the Southall Trust to extend a project originally funded by Comic Relief for one year (through to December 2019). The extension of the HIV+ Survivors Empowerment Project (SEP) sought … Continue Reading »

First Lady Jeannette Kagame with other officials during celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Association of Widows of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi (AVEGA) on Sunday. (The New Times)

AVEGA at 25

By Hudson Kuteesa, The New Times The First Lady, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame on Sunday, February 23, told men and women that were widowed as a result of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that their lives are an example of resilience … Continue Reading »

Daphrose outside her home in 2009, funded by Survivors Fund (SURF)

Daphrose Mukangarambe

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Daphrose Mukangarambe, aged 57 years old. Daphrose died last week after a long struggle with liver disease. Daphrose was truly an inspiration, and one of the first survivors interviewed … Continue Reading »