Staff members of local insurance firm SONARWA on Thursday 26th April 2018 reached out to survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwamagana District where they helped build three houses for survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The staff members who were led by Tony Twahirwa the CEO, SONARWA General and Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju CEO SONARWA Life, first visited the homes where they launched houses for the survivors’ houses whose construction was sponsored by the insurer. After that, the mourners congregated at INILAK University (Rwamagana Campus). Twahirwa, while addressing the gathering said the support is part of activities by SONARWA to commemorate the Genocide against the Tutsi which took place 24 years ago. “We decided to help these people who were affected by Genocide against the Tutsi. It is part of our obligations to support vulnerable survivors like we have been doing for others over the years,” he told the survivors. He said that SONARWA will always keep helping those that were affected by the Genocide and cautioned those who may still be harboring the Genocide ideology to discard it. “The unity by the insurer’s staff is part of the efforts to build a nation striving for self-sustainability; we shall continue our support to survivors while fighting against any genocide ideology that may still linger in some people’s minds”. While giving his welcoming speech, the Executive secretary of Muhazi sector Egide Hanyurwimfura thanked the insurer for the good spirit and choosing to help build houses for survivors in Murambi Sector in Rwamagana District. “It is really sad to see people who would be living better lives suffering because of what happened to their families during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis. We thank the management of SONARWA for helping to make survivors’ lives better,” he said. The Guest of Honor, the Vice Mayor -Social Affairs in Rwamagana District, Jane Mutoni, while addressing the mourners said that the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis was planned and carried out systematically by the former national leadership. “The perpetrators of the Genocide mobilized the population and prepared and brainwashed them with the Genocide ideology to kill the Tutsis by telling them that they will be killing cockroaches not people” said Mutoni. During the event, survivors shared their testimonies. One of the beneficiaries Olive Karukundo, a widowed single mother welcomed the support, saying that the Genocide left a big impact of suffering into their lives welcomed the assistance afforded them by Sonarwa. “Our house was in a poor state and I always worried that one day the roof will curve in upon us. My two kids may look young but they know that we now have a family called Sonarwa and that with them life is getting better” said Karukundo With tears of joy, Karukundo told the gathering that there was simply no way to express how she felt over the shelter she and her children had received from SONARWA. “All my family members were killed during the Genocide. I have two sons with no husband to support me, I now depend on Good Samaritans and I want to thank you for the support,” she said. In a related event, on Friday 27th April 2018, former SONARWA staff members who perished during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis were remembered at SONARWA head office in Kigali. The ceremony that started at 3pm was attended by staff members and families of the former workers who perished during the Genocide. While giving her testimony, the widow left by former employee Karangwa Innocent one of those that were killed, told the gathering about the nightmare and the horrors she went through to survive with her kids. “A lot happened during the 100 days of the 1994 Genocide and all I can say is thank you Father in heaven for it’s him who made it possible. We were hunted like dogs and bodies of Tutsis were everywhere; dead bodies of kids, old men and women were scattered on the streets and were feasted upon by dogs” she narrated. She called upon those present to unite in prayer and to see that what happened should never happen again in Rwanda Every year, SONARWA spares time to remember the over one million people who were killed in the Genocide and at the same time support survivors. Last year, during the commemoration, Sonarwa donated mattresses worth Rwf4.8 million, which were given to over 100 survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Bugesera District.
