[PHOTOS]: World Bank staff commemorate Genocide

World Bank Rwanda staff, on Friday, visited Ntarama Genocide Memorial Site in Bugesera District to pay tribute to victims as part of the 22nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. The staff toured the different parts of the memorial, where over 5,000 Tutsi are laid to rest. They were briefed on how children were killed, women raped in the area that experienced some of the worst atrocities. The group also laid wreaths on graves containing the remains of the Genocide victims killed mainly from three parts of Bugesera; Ntarama, Kibungo and Kanzenze. Members inside the cracked building where thousands of Tutsis were killed. Later, they visited one of the villages hosting survivors and shared motivational stories with young survivors whom they gave mattresses. Speaking to young survivors in Ntarama village, Yasser El- Gammal, the World Bank Rwanda country manager, said they should always strive to fight what may hold them back, adding that having people who think about them should be an encouragement. Genocide survivors sharing their stories during a visit. “Losing a family is a really difficult thing in everyone’s life, but it hurts more when one loses his beloved one in a tragic period, and at the end is left alone. However, having been able to survive should always give you a reason to fight whatever that may want to hold you back,” he said. “Having people who still think about you and take time to visit you, should also be an encouragement for you to soar to the next level.” The survivors shared their stories with the visitors. World Bank staff promised to help them in ways possible, including providing mentorships, linking those who completed studies to opportunities, and assisting them in creating income generating projects. The group also donated matresses to the genocide survivors in Ntarama village. (Photos by Julius Bizimungu) “If there’s anything that hurts is failing to get a person who cares about you when you know that one time you had a family. This is why we take this moment as a special one because we get time to discuss about different issues and challenges that we face in our lives as survivors,” said an orphan only identified as Habimana. Habimana’s story is one of other many touching stories of children survivors. He was aged five during the Genocide, but the interesting part of his life is when he gets to see such people visiting them. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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[PHOTOS]: World Bank staff commemorate Genocide