Every year on March 8, Rwanda joins the world in celebrating International Women’s Day, honoring the strength and resilience of women who have played a crucial role in rebuilding the nation after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. CARSA has been at the forefront of this healing process, bringing together genocide survivors and perpetrators to foster reconciliation and sustainable peace. Women have been instrumental in this transformation, leading initiatives that promote healing, unity, and economic empowerment, proving that they are not just beneficiaries but drivers of change.

One such woman is UWAMABERA Isabelle, who turned her painful past into a mission of hope and reconciliation. At just six years old, she lost 21 family members in the genocide, leaving her with deep trauma and a permanent spinal cord condition.

At CARSA, we believe that gender equality and women’s empowerment are key to sustainable progress and lasting peace. Through our Empower Program, in collaboration with Compelled By Love, women have played a crucial role in conflict resolution, resilience-building, and economic empowerment. Seven out of our 12 community facilitators are women, leading efforts in peacebuilding, trauma healing, and capacity building for vulnerable communities. Additionally, women hold leadership positions in 63% of our 86 Resilience Community Groups (RCGs), driving economic and social transformation at the grassroots level. One inspiring example is Mukandayisaba Donatha from Muhanga District, who leads a group of 13 people dedicated to economic empowerment and reconciliation. Their initiative to provide livestock has already helped 11 members receive pigs, creating sustainable income opportunities.

Joseph Dusengumuremyi, a 63-year-old ex-prisoner, was convicted of killing his neighbors during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and served 15 years in prison. Before the workshop, he hid the truth from his wife and avoided acknowledging his crimes. However, through the program, he openly confessed, sought forgiveness, and committed to educating younger generations to prevent history from repeating itself.

Antoine Nshimyiyimana, a 21-year-old student at Rwanda Polytechnic, Musanze College, has been involved in peace clubs for seven years. Through CARSA’s Peace Club and Arts for Peace, he has learned about Rwanda’s history, engaged in community service, and used poetry, theater, and music to spread peace messages. His work includes organizing peace talks, helping the homeless, and participating in Umuganda.

Pelagie, a 59-year-old widow and mother of four from Cyeza Sector, Muhanga District, lost her husband, father, and many loved ones during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Returning home was painful—her house was destroyed, and fear gripped her whenever she encountered perpetrators.

“We’re like others”: Changes in the lives of Historical Marginalized People in Kamonyi

In an effort to foster resilient unity, CARSA organized two Peace Conferences this month at the Ruyanza School Complex in Nyarubaka Sector, Kamonyi District, and Mata Complex School in Muhanga District in Rwanda’s south. At these events, CARSA brings two reconciled people — a genocide survivor and their direct perpetrator—to share their stories openly with the group and allow the youth to ask questions to help them understand the circumstances of the tragedy and brainstorm the way forward. 

Twenty-six RCG members from the Nyarubaka Sector of Kamonyi District gathered at Christine Karubera’s house. The genocide widow was in need of bricks to rebuild her house that was destroyed by the harsh rain last season. Both finances and age had precluded her from restoring it herself. Since the storm, Karubera had no place to cook and little remains of the house to store possessions.

October 2024, a month to reflect on unity and resilience, became a particular moment for the youth in peace clubs as they came together to do various activities to serve survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and improve social wellbeing in various ways. Most groups made plans to renovate old houses, help cultivate land, make kitchen gardens, visit neighbors, and provide foodstuffs.

A new hope is emerging in the Mugina, Kamonyi district, Rwanda. The historically marginalized People formally known as Batwa people, are finding new ways to boast a sense of dignity and belonging as well as improve life conditions, and build a sustainable future.

CARSA—Focusing on shaping young people to be at the center of peace and sustainable development

Empowering Communities, Transforming Lives: The Impact of CARSA’s Empower Workshop

On June 20-21, a dozen students in CARSA’s education sponsorship program gathered at  Chris Hotel to participate in an intensive seminar on “Financial Literacy: Empowering Your Financial Future.” 

Meet Mbarushimana Celestin, a father of 6 children, a model farmer, and a former genocide perpetrator from Cyeza Sector, Muhanga District, Southern Rwanda. Celestin is one example of thousands of people who benefited from CARSA’s various initiatives and tried to put them into practice and changed their entire lives in 3 aspects: Socially, psychologically, and economically.

The post-genocide reconciliation process has been very difficult because of the genocide effects that affected community members socially and psychologically. It was hard for a genocide offender and a victim to live in harmony after a crime like that of genocide but with the power of God and pragmatic initiatives like RCG (Resilience Cell Group) people have chosen to step beyond forgiveness, embrace reconciliation and work together for holistic change.

This April marks the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, with commemorative events beginning on April 7. Throughout April, both globally and within Rwanda, there's a dedicated time to honor the memory of those  whose lives were innocently lost during the tragedy. "Kwibuka," translating to "to Remember", signifies a period of deep reflections on the past and a commitment to preventing such horrors from repeating.

During the week of commemorating the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, the CARSA Community Peace Clubs have pledged to do activities that support genocide survivors.