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Preparing for Kwibuka 30: We Need Your Assistance

Posted: March 22, 2024
Written by: Genocide Survivors Foundation

With April less than two weeks away, Genocide Survivors Foundation looks forward to a schedule of programs and gatherings to mark and commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. In the current climate of increasing hate and extremism, we are more committed than ever to our two-fold mission: to support the most vulnerable survivors of this genocide and to educate people about the very real dangers of hate, racism, and extremism. Our programs are needed more than ever – and we are in need of your support to achieve our goals.

Kwibuka 30

In Kinyarwanda, kwibuka means remember. It is the word used to denote commemorations of the anniversary of the 1994 genocide. Kwibuka 30 notes that this year, 2024, marks thirty years since over one million innocent men, women, and children were brutally murdered in just 100 days.

Two Core Goals for GSF during Kwibuka 30

As a nonprofit focused on preventing genocide and supporting genocide survivors, we have two core aims for Kwibuka 30.

1. Organize, attend, and support commemoration and education events in the USA and Rwanda. We are working to do so, harnessing our own resources and fundraising in support of our efforts during Kwibuka 30. This includes not only proactively engaging with such events as organizers, presenters, or panelists, but also covering the costs of events that need financial assistance to occur.
2. Proactively support the most vulnerable of genocide survivors during this emotionally challenging period. While the thirtieth anniversary will certainly bring its own difficulties, the current climate of vitriol and hate make remembering the events of 1994 even more traumatic for survivors. We are reaching out to the survivor community and our partner organizations to deliver meaningful support to those survivors most in need. We aim to assist by covering housing costs, health-related needs, food and other daily necessities. We will also support group gatherings so that these most vulnerable survivors do not feel alone during this difficult period.

Our  Schedule of Events

We have been working with our colleagues and partners in the U.S.A., Rwanda, and beyond, to plan a number of gatherings to remember, support, and commemorate. The following events are confirmed in our calendar, so we can share the basic details. We will be sharing further information and additional events as we confirm their details.

April 17 | Commemoration and Genocide Prevention Education Event

This event will focus on survivors’ stories/experiences and their most urgent needs. It will explore how rape was used as a weapon of genocide in 1994, and how best to currently support victims of that sexual violence. The event will also discuss trauma healing and key ways to tackle the current alarming rate of hate and extremism. This event is being organized in collaboration with the New York City Bar Association. With additional speakers expected to be added in the next few days, basic information is already online.

May 14 | Webinar about Intergenerational Transmission of Trauma

The online webinar will focus on intergenerational transmission of trauma, strategies for survivor parents to pass on their genocide stories/experiences to the next generation so they can learn from the past while committing to a better future. Organized in collaboration with the International Center for Multigenerational Legacies of Trauma.

Supporting Additional Events

In addition to the events above, GSF is also helping to plan and participate in a number of events. Moreover, we are hopeful to be in a position to financially support these events being organized by other survivors organizations in the U.S.A.

May 24-26 | Commemoration Event and Survivors Reunion in the U.S.A.

The 30th commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and the second survivors reunion in U.S.A. will take place in Portland, Maine on May 24-26. Organized by Ibuka USA, further details about this this event/reunion are online at ibukausa.org.

August 2-4 | Voices of Resilience Conference

A conference on trauma healing for survivors, their children and friends of survivors organized by a Million Lives Genocide Relief Fund, Voices Of Resilience will take place in Houston, Texas on August 2-4. More information about this conference is online at voicesofresilience2024.com.

Thanks to Our Friends, Supporters, and Donors

Our work would not be possible without the generosity of our friends, supporters, and donors. Their gifts, practical support, and camaraderie enables us to focus on our mission and programs. Their kindness and ceaseless support of our organization inspires us as we work to prevent genocide and meet the ongoing needs of survivors.

Your Support is Key

We ask your help in making Kwibuka 30 as meaningful and easy as possible for as many survivors as we can. Please donate today to help ensure that we can reach our core goals set out above.

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