Charles, a survivor of Bisesero

Bisesero

On the journey back from my visit to Cyangugu, we took the stunning (but bumpy) Lake Kivu road to return to Kigali via Bisesero. Bisesero is the most significant site of resistance during the genocide. It is a place of … Continue Reading »

Rwanda Visit

I arrived in Kigali yesterday for a three-week visit in Rwanda. There are a number of items on the itinerary on which I will be reporting further in due course. The first part of the visit I will be travelling … Continue Reading »

Comic Relief

I am delighted to announce that our application to Comic Relief for funding for a new project to support HIV+ women survivors has been successful! We have been awarded a two-year grant for £523,486. The HIV+ Survivors Integration Project (SIP) will … Continue Reading »

Vote Odette

I have posted on this blog previously about the work of Odette Kayirere, Coordinator of the Eastern Region branch of AVEGA (Association of Widows of the Genocide). SURF’s Founder, Mary Kayitesi Blewitt OBE, helped to register AVEGA-AGAHOZO (agahozo is a … Continue Reading »

Mukabucyana Berte (centre in black tshirt) with members of ingoro y’urukundo and SURF Program Manager, Joram Sebatware (centre back)

Reporting

A significant aspect of our work at Survivors Fund (SURF) is reporting – reporting on our own progress, that of our partner organisations, as well as the situation of survivors in Rwanda and the UK. During my current visit to … Continue Reading »

A week in Rwanda

A week in Rwanda

I have just returned from a visit to Rwanda, on which I reported previously about our ongoing discussions with our partners on the priorities for our work ahead. The past week has been a busy one, and presents a good … Continue Reading »

AVEGA Agahozo

AVEGA Agahozo

AVEGA Agahozo is one of the key partners of Survivors Fund (SURF). It represents and supports widows of the genocide, and their dependents. IRIN this week reported on the importance of the organisation in empowering genocide widows, as well as … Continue Reading »

Can SURF do what Kiva can’t?

Kiva, a remarkable online portal to connect donors directly to entrepreneurs in developing countries, admitted this week that its claim to facilitate donor-to-borrower connections is partly fictional. In fact, donations are channelled through microfinance institutions, and the entrepreneurs advertised already … Continue Reading »

Post from Rwanda

Post from Rwanda

SURF is currently undergoing an evaluation of its work by Comic Relief, our first and to date largest funder. The evaluation is assessing the impact of nine projects Comic Relief has funded since our partnership began in 1997. The efforts … Continue Reading »