I&M Bank, formerly Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR), on April 19, paid tribute to 25 former employees, who lost their lives during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

The event highlighted the role of the youth in understanding history to prevent the recurrence of past atrocities. In addition, it showcased the steadfast commitment of I&M Bank in supporting genocide survivors and their families in their relentless efforts in combating genocide ideology.

Staff members and the families of the deceased laid wreaths on a memorial monument at I&M Bank head offices in honour of the former employees who died during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.

Following this, the event proceeded at Kigali Genocide Memorial where I&M Bank management, general staff, and families of the genocide victims paid tribute to all genocide victims.

Bonaventure Niyibizi, the Chairman of I&M Bank, affirmed the Bank's pledge to tirelessly assist other affected families.

Addressing the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, he conveyed a message of unwavering support and resilience, stating, "To the survivors of the Genocide, stay brave.

"We will stand by your side as closely as possible, and never surrender, for that is precisely what the perpetrators desire."

Recognizing the profound challenges of healing, he emphasized the importance of looking towards the future.

"Though the wounds may be deep, we must always cast our gaze forward, ensuring that those who possess the strength to rise continue to illuminate Rwanda's path for tomorrow. Be the steadfast pillar that defies the intentions of those who sought to extinguish your light, showing unequivocally that you endure and thrive."

He emphasized that a significant majority of I&M Bank staff, comprising over 60%, encounter the Genocide as mere news. "With the future of Rwanda squarely in focus, the nation looks up to you; starting from the contributions you make in your daily lives, extending to the nurturing of your families. It is incumbent upon you to delve into the history that led to the Genocide, empowering yourselves to effect positive change.”

"In the next 30 years, envision yourself recounting to your grandchildren the journey Rwanda has traversed. Reflect on the strides taken over the past 30 years and steadfastly commit to ensuring Rwanda's trajectory continues forward, unwavering in its resolve to never regress,” he added.

He also highlighted that I&M Bank, formerly BCR, traversed different histories of Rwanda and it depended on the politics that existed at that time, marked by discrimination and the oppression of workers, among other challenges. He cautioned against the misconception that the workers being commemorated "today" enjoyed unfettered freedom in their work.

"In the 20 years I have worked with this Bank," he reflected, "I have never heard of a decision being made to exclude a qualified job applicant. I have never heard of a decision to fire an employee based on his or her height or where he or she is from. I have never heard of a project being returned based on the source or the originator. So, this is a big step that you have to rely on to continue to do good things that brought us to where we are now."

Eugene Ntayomba, a representative of the genocide survivors, expressed gratitude, remarking, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank I&M Bank for their commendable efforts in commemorating those who served at BCR."

He extended appreciation for the Bank's support to the families of the people being remembered, emphasizing the significance of their assistance.

He expressed gratitude to the government for establishing the Genocide Survivors Assistance Fund (FARG) which played a pivotal role in providing survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi with opportunities for education. Since its inception, in 1998, FARG spent billions putting hundreds of genocide survivor children in school, building homes, providing health care, other forms of social assistance and income generation opportunities for survivors.

Jean Claude Harerimana, a survivor of the genocide born in Ntarama, Bugesera, was merely seven years old when the horrors began to unfold. "When the genocide started, we were just kids innocently playing. However, in the afternoon, we started hearing the sound of gunshots."

The parents ushered him and two younger siblings indoors for safety. Yet, as night fell, they slept outside, he recalled.

He recounted the harrowing scenes he witnessed as the violence erupted. "People started screaming, and houses were set ablaze," he recalled. Despite his young age at the time, he remembered how his family survived by resorting to desperate measures. "In my family, older members had to share responsibility for the children to increase their chances of survival. "

Harerimana's family was torn apart during the genocide. His mother and siblings sought refuge in a church at Ntarama, while he remained under the care of an aunt.

Reflecting on the final encounter with his mother before her tragic demise, Harerimana shared a memory. "A day before my mother and siblings were killed, my mother had sent someone to see me. He told me that my mother had told him to bring me to her." He was then brought to the church in Ntarama where his mother awaited.

"She told me to never leave her, assuring me that as we were in the house of the Lord, nothing would happen to us,” he recalled.

"I did not agree with her and refused to stay there."

His mother then gave him a sweater, and reassured him, "Go, and you will live."

Tragically, the following day, Harerimana learned that his mother and siblings were killed.

Harerimana and his aunt continued to flee in the rain until, one day, he was captured by a blood-stained killer wielding a machete.

"I still have nightmares about that man now. But he can never stab me with that machette,” he said.

"As they were going to kill me, right beside me, a baby cried. As they left me there, I started running, leaving the killers mercilessly slaughtering the mother of the baby.”

Returning to Ntarama hill, Harerimana was met with disbelief from family members who believed they would never see him again.

"To this day, I do not really understand how I survived," he said.

Reflecting on his resilience, he attributed his strength to the enduring words of his mother, which continue to serve as his guiding light and motivation in life.

Harerimana, now employed at I&M Bank, expressed profound gratitude towards his workplace, likening it to a second family. He emphasized the invaluable support he received from colleagues over the past 10 years, acknowledging their unwavering assistance during his journey.

Samuel Dusengiyumva, the Mayor of the City of Kigali, also expressed appreciation to I&M Bank for honouring the memory of former employees who tragically lost their lives during the genocide. He conveyed gratitude for the Bank's dedication to discussing and reflecting upon this crucial aspect of Rwanda's history.

Reflecting on Rwanda's historical trajectory, he noted the stark contrast in teachings, stating, "Those before us were taught division for 30 years. Now we have been teaching unity for 30 years; we are teaching that we are one."

Despite these efforts, he acknowledged the lingering presence of genocide ideology, even among individuals who have relocated to other nations, including genocide perpetrators. Pointing to recent instances, he noted "the 13 cases of genocide ideology found in Kigali," underscoring the necessity to preserve and disseminate historical truths.

Benjamin Mutimura, the Bank's Chief Executive Officer, recounted the loss of 25 workers, noting: "These were the only victims we identified because we do not get all the information at once. However, during the 30th commemoration, we took additional steps and discovered that there were more workers who had survived, as well as families of the deceased. We extended invitations to these individuals to join us in honouring the memory of those we lost.”

”While we may not have precise figures regarding the number of our clients who perished in the genocide, it remains a poignant aspect we aspire to uncover. Additionally, we acknowledge the unsettling reality that some individuals involved in the genocide were once our clients, as is evident in our records,” he added.

He underscored that this is a reminder of the Bank's duty to combat genocide ideology through education and awareness.

He underscored their commitment to aiding the children of former staff members who tragically perished during the genocide against the Tutsi. Through their responsibilities, they have facilitated the rebuilding process, enabling some to complete their education and offering them employment opportunities.

Furthermore, the Bank devised a comprehensive plan to continue supporting them in their endeavors, alongside extending assistance to other vulnerable families in need.