Thousands of the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi are vulnerable, many of them elderly without relatives to look after them. Although the fund for support of Genocide survivors (FARG) has been doing a lot to see that vulnerable Genocide survivors, widows and orphans, among others, are accorded worthwhile assistance, the help has not been sustainable in the true sense of the word. The monthly stipend support given to a disadvantaged survivor is Rwf7,500 and is based on Vision Umurenge Programme in the framework of social protection. Individuals, too, support these survivors from time to time, and, like with most alms, such support is never really timely. Where one needs urgent assistance, it becomes that kind of pain that leaves them reeling off a staccato of wishes. High on the list of such wishes is always a sustainable form of support. They yearn for some form of profitable project from which they can mint regular income. But FARG is moving to grant survivors that wish by setting up long-term projects for them as one of the best ways to respond to the challenges they face. Realising that much of its budget is accrued to meeting education needs of children of Genocide victims, and that the changing time makes it increasingly difficult to continue meeting welfare support of survivors, FARG has started establishing income-generating projects that will fetch money for supporting survivors. FARG says among the projects include a Rwf40 million multipurpose hall being constructed in Nyamirambo Sector, Nyarugenge District, to generate income to support survivors. FARG also has a modern brick and tile furnace which is complete in Gitambi Sector, Rusizi District and intends to put up another furnace in Mageragere Sector, Nyarugenge District, worth Rwf60 million. These are projects that seek to empower needy survivors, make them self-reliant such that the support FARG gives them is channeled into other purposes. This is the hallmark of a progressive vision, one that must be given the attention it deserves.
