Rwanda

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The infamous genocide of 1994 seems long ago, but the future still remains bleak and uncertain for most of its survivors - it is only now that many have begun mourning their loved ones.

Many Rwandans still suffer from consequences of the genocide, such as rape or living with HIV. Others do not even have any trace of their people - they do not know whether they are still alive or, if dead, where they are buried. Around 50,000 women became widows overnight.

Such a huge trauma often leads to the closure of schools, family conflict, depression, and emotional crises within communities - while the huge suffering of children is often neglected. We support the Rwanda Psycho-Social Programme, which helps trauma sufferers through counselling and brings together a number of organisations.

Teacher Odette Kayirere lost her husband on 16 April 1994. Struggling to come to terms with his death, she co-founded the eastern branch of AVEGA, a widows' association that is helping to rebuild women's lives and self-esteem. CAFOD has supported AVEGA since 1995.

When I first knew my husband was dead, I was like a mad woman who couldn't think. I had severe trauma. I lost my hope for life. In 1995, I heard there was an organisation created for genocide widows in Kigali. I told women where I lived about AVEGA and how we could help each other. We teach our children that we are brothers and sisters and we shouldn't seek revenge. We train women in trauma healing, and we offer counselling to reduce the pain. We focus on the things that unite us, not what divides us."

– Odette Kayirere