KIGALI - RWANDA Development Bank Friday evening held a memorial service to honour 13 employees and 14 close clients who lost their lives during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed over one million lives.

The event, which was also attended by members of the victims’ families, was characterized by laying of wreaths on the memorial plaque built at the BRD’s ground containing the names of the victims.

BRD Managing Director, Jack Kayonga, said the event was also aimed at dealing with trauma among relatives and families that lost their loved ones.

"It is for this very reason that we are here this evening together with some of the relatives and families, who were lucky to survive, in order to continue to encourage them to be strong as they go through these difficult times,” said Kayonga.

He added that it was a great honour for the BRD to support orphans of their former employees under the Genocide Orphans’ Fund Committee that pays for their education and welfare.

"The greatest victory we can have over the Genocide is to help the survivors attain a good and constructive life. As we gather here today, let me announce that we have two children of our former employees in University for whom we pay tuition.

"Therefore, it’s a great honour for us to offer faith, hope and love to these orphans who had lost everything they believed in,” Kayonga said.

He added that BRD has adopted 65 orphans from Magerere orphanage, facilitating them in education and health issues. 

Speaking at the event, Senator Wellars Gasamagera, hailed the bank for not just working for profits but also playing a role in remembering survivors.

Gasamagera called upon other institutions to emulate what BRD has done.

"If all institutions in Rwanda promote this kind of development by giving opportunities to orphans and taking care of Genocide survivors, Rwanda would move faster towards its goals,” said Gasamagera.

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