SOS Children’s Villages International Deputy Chief Operations Officer and Interim International Director for Eastern and Southern Africa Region Ms Shubha Murthi paid tribute to victims of the genocide against the Tutsi. While at Gisozi Genocide Memorial on May 24, 2018, Ms. Murthi laid a wreath on the mass graves where more than 250,000 victims of the Genocide are buried. She observed a moment of silence in honor of the victims. Ms Murthi applauded Rwanda’s quick recovery and rebuilding of social fabrics after the genocide that tore the country, and said “it must have taken much commitment”. “I was a young girl during genocide and I grew up so fearful of such a place where people killed their fellow country men” she said. She added that her other encounter of the story of Rwanda was when she started working with SOS Children’s Villages International. Reports from Rwanda could find her in her capacities at SOS CVI about the country and how her organisation was endeavouring to support genocide orphaned children. In a message she wrote in the visitor’s book, Ms. Murthi expressed, “Extremely emotional, have no word to express, it is hard to believe what cruelty human beings can do, yet the Rwandan people show today to the world that peace and forgiveness help build the world. May the Souls Rest in Peace and we join hands to create a loving and peaceful world so that no child grows up alone.” She says she is happy to have come to Rwanda where she has had a first hand witness that peace is possible everywhere. “When I recall what was being told about Rwanda two decades ago and compare them with what the country is today, it is clear that peace is possible everywhere” she commented. This is the first time Murthi has been to Rwanda. She says, I am happy the genocide memorial is standing to tell the past from which a people can shape the future. “From the mothers and children in families, whether in villages or towns, to the streets of Kigali, I have been impressed by harmony, discipline and the beauty of both people and sceneries” she said. Ms. Murthi was accompanied by the CVI Representative (ESAF) Ms. Anushka Gopaul and SOS CV Rwanda National Director Ms. Claudine Nyinawagaga. SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda is an International Childcare Organisations that played a big role in restoring hope for orphans and widows of the Genocide against Tutsi in 1994. Through Family Based Care, 1935 children’s grew up in SOS Children’s Villages Rwanda in four districts of Nyamagabe, Gicumbi, Kayonza and Gasabo. The organisation also operates family strengthening programmes with an aim of preventing family separation with 9161 children supported. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
