Genocide survivor groups exude hope for the future

Yesterday began the AERG-GAERG Week, when young survivors of the Genocide embark on a countrywide string of social activities. Among them is to show gratitude to the few people who had the courage to hide some Tutsi at the height of the Genocide. Their story is one of courage, perseverance and resilience. It is an inspiring story of triumph against many odds. The Association of Student Survivors of the Genocide (AERG in its French acronym) was born in the midst of a lot of emotional turmoil. In 1996, many young survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi were living in a vacuum. They had lost everything; family, possessions and hope for the future. So when a dozen or so students at the just reopened National University of Rwanda decided to create AERG, it was in the spirit of seeking mutual support. Many students had no homes to go to during holidays and were forced to stay behind in the schools. Even those who homes had survived the murderous rampage of the Interahamwe militia, feared returning. Trauma was everywhere. So when the founders of the organization graduated, they formed GAERG to continue with their activism of improving the welfare of survivors and seek justice. Their dedication paid off and today they are paying back to society by helping rebuild lives. They did not only survive to tell the story, they did so to help heal wounds and mend the fabrics of society. It is an inspirational story that like the phoenix that rose from the ashes, we should always light the candle of hope, for there is a future for those who push on. It is a story of our country.

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Genocide survivor groups exude hope for the future