Many women survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda still struggle greatly with on-going trauma and more. Building on the success of the 2017 retreat, Liliane Pari Umuhoza (learn more about her below) is again teaming up with Survivors Fund (SURF) to organize a second retreat for 50 women survivors. Held in a safe, welcoming place, and filled with plenty of group activities, self-care, and music, the retreat focuses on trauma and resilience, life improving strategies and activities, and business and financial planning activities.
DONATE TO SUPPORT THE SURVIVORS RETREAT
Retreat Coordinator: Liliane Pari Umuhoza
My name is Liliane Pari Umuhoza, I was two years old during the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, a tragedy that took away a large number of my family members. Even though I was too young to remember what happened, I grew up facing the consequences of that atrocity in every aspect of my life. Having access to psychological support helped me in the journey of healing. For that reason, I am determined to do all I can, to make sure that others receive the same kind of support that I was afforded.
Towards that end, in August 2017, in collaboration with Survivors Fund (SURF), I organized a three-day retreat that brought together 30 women genocide survivors. Many among those women were raped during the genocide, and contracted HIV/AIDS. Also, a number of them are raising children conceived from rape. During the retreat, through sharing their stories with the guidance of psychologists and counsellors, these women helped each other begin to heal!
At the end of the retreat, one of the women said “Bringing us, women who were raped during the genocide, together is a great initiative; but it isn’t considered by many, but when we meet we feel like we are not alone! We feel connected and happy.” Through this retreat, some of the women were able to share their stories for the first time, 23 years after the genocide! This was a breakthrough for them and it gave them the strength they needed to keep moving forward in the healing journey!
Witnessing the impact the retreat had on the participants compelled me to organize another retreat this year! This year’s retreat program is going to bring together a new group of 50 women genocide survivors. Won’t you join me in changing the lives of these courageous women?
As we mark the 24th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, let us do so with actions. One of the best ways to remember and honor the victims, is to support the survivors. Please support the “Women Genocide Survivors Retreat Program”! You can do so, through Genocide Survivors Foundation (GSF), a US-based nonprofit organization that educates people about the crime of genocide and supports genocide survivors.
Remember, no donation is too small, because it is contributing in making these women’s world a better place. All donations are tax deductible.
Thank you all in advance for your support!
“Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”
