To mark the 23rd Anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and as a way of supporting survivors of 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Access Bank on the 28th April donated sewing equipment and all accessories to women Genocide survivors.

On Friday morning, the beneficiaries gathered at a hall in Gasharu village in Kinyina sector where there were touching speeches from the guests that had gathered to commemorate victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

This donation, according to Jean-Claude Karayenzi the Managing Director of Access Bank Rwanda, is aimed at empowering and improving the lives of the widows in the area and the orphans that depend on them.

Kwibuka is not only a time to remember those who lost their lives in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, but also to offer and show support to the survivors.

In line with the year theme for the Genocide against the Tutsi commemoration period "Remember the Genocide against the Tutsi, fight Genocide ideology, build on your progress”, we believe that by helping these women who survived with a sustainable project, they will be able to produce goods and services and develop their community. "It is better to teach them how to fish than giving them fish every year” said Jean-Claude.

The Managing Director added that the Bank will continue to follow up on the women and their project to identify the different weak points in which it can extend support. "I highly commend these women for their resilience, courage and determination to set up this project though with limited funds to fight poverty in their lives after the horrors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This is what together with the entire nation, we will build upon,” Jean-Claude added.

Beneficiaries speak out

Musabayezu Colledette, a beneficiary, is the chairperson of BERWA cooperative that received funding from Access Bank. She says that the cooperative started in November 2016 with 11 women all of whom are Genocide survivors.

"We got training from a Non-Government Organization called TUZA that helped us learn the basic skills on sewing and we are ready to learn more and to become experienced and make products that will be appreciated by Rwandans,” Musabayezu says.

They intend to save money from the project to help them take care of their families and to fight poverty.

On behalf of the BERWA cooperative, she thanked the staff of Access Bank for having thought about them in this time of need to donate them equipment.

After the handover ceremony, Access Bank staff joined by Ibuka and CNLG congregated at the head office in Kigali to pay tribute to Victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.