WESTERN PROVINCE

NYAMASHEKE — Widows who lost their husbands to the Genocide have been asked to avoid being haunted by horrific memories of the 1994 Genocide. The call was made by a group called Avega-Agahozo an umbrella body of genocide widows leaders. They were visiting fellow widows in various sectors of Nyamasheke district on Tuesday.

Langwida Nyirababeruka who led a team of several Avega-Agahozo staff told The New Times that the visit was aimed at comforting them.

"As you know like other parts of the country all genocide survivor widows experienced horror during the 1994 genocide, so our main objective of visiting these widows was to console them as regards to what occurred to them during that period," Nyirababeruka said.

She observed genocide widows should engage in income generating activities instead of being overcome by bitter memories.

"You as genocide survivor widows in this region should know that the time of feeling about what happened ended. Now its time for you to stand up and start income generating businesses in your respective places of residence in order to overcome poverty," Nyirababeruka urged widows at Shangi Parish in Shangi sector.

The widows were also asked to form cooperative societies and make project proposals. Clear project proposals would be forwarded to AVEGA head office to enable them get loans for capital.

Nyirababeruka also cautioned against genocide and ethnic ideology, but instead work with the government in promoting peace, unity and reconciliation in the region.

Celestine Uwimpaye, who heads Avega in the Western Province said many genocide widows and survivors generally still lack decent shelter and called upon members at higher levels and the government to build more houses for them.

She commended the government for the continuous support to all genocide survivors in the country.

Later the team visited Shangi genocide memorial site where over 8,000 genocide remains were buried, to remember the victims.

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