100 Children Survivors, an organisation of youth Genocide survivors, yesterday visited Jali Genocide Memorial site to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

As is their tradition ever since 2006, the young Genocide survivors carry out this activity every year from different memorial sites while remembering various categories of people such as mothers, children and the elderly who died during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Christian Rutayisire, the in-charge of Social Affairs, said the act of remembering those who died during the Genocide was necessary to ensure it never happens again. Robert Habimana, the executive secretary of Jali Sector in Gasabo District, said that it was encouraging to see the youth organise themselves, adding that it portrays Rwanda was breeding responsible youth who will make a bright future generation.

He called upon the youth to keep on upholding their dignity and act in the interest of building themselves and their nation.

Bonnette Ishimwe, 20, who lost her father and relatives during the 1994 Genocide, said commemorating helps her remember the good qualities she heard about her late father.

What is 100 Children Survivors organization?

100 children survivors’ organisation is a group of youth Genocide survivors who came together in 2006 to support fellow youth Genocide survivors, according to Rutayisire. The group mainly comprises students in secondary school, university and some who have graduated. They were exactly 100 youth when they established the organisation in 2006 but now the group has grown to over 130 member. The youth genocide survivors’ organisation does advocacy to help fellow youth survivors. So far, they have been able to pay tuition for some of their members, some of whom are now pursuing their university education.