WESTERN PROVINCE

KIBUYE—On several occasions, genocide orphans enrolled in schools in Kibuye, Karongi district, lack all the basic necessities and have appealed to concerned authorities for intervention.

This was said by Genocide survivor students of E.T.O Kibuye under their association known by its French acronym as A.E.R.G. They were commemorating the anniversary of the 1994 Genocide at the school campus. It was part of this year’s mourning period that is yet to end.

The ceremony started with a procession from the school campus to Kibuye Catholic Church, where they laid a wreath on the grave. They later held a vigil night at the school. The students claimed that the aid meant for them in most cases doesn’t reach them.

The children said failure to access the required necessities has as well affected their academic performance. Instead of concentrating on academics, they said, they spend time solving many problems that their late parents were meant to shoulder.

"Amongst us there some that are heading families, so one can’t concentrate without being sure of how the siblings are surviving," said one of the survivors.

"It’s not only necessary to give us financial support, we also need counselling to make us able to live with the reality of living as orphans," said James Kayitare, a leader of A.E.R.G at the school.

The students noted that ‘it is has never been easy to live as orphans while seeing their counterparts happy with parents, brothers and sisters in happy families.’

They commended two Bwishyura sector leaders who they said are always by their side but appealed to other sector leaders to follow suit.

"Of course as a person, you feel that gap and incase you don’t get counseling, you can even be traumatized," said Kayitare. He explained that their unity as survivors and the cooperation of their headmaster often helps them. The students said their head teacher is committed to knowing their problems and stands with them especially during commemoration period.

On genocide ideology, the survivors extended their gratitude to their director and fellow students, for checking the vice at the school.

"We have lived in harmony. Even during the memorial period our counterparts have taken part in organizing and being near us," said Kayitare.

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