Tutsi people were deported to Rukumberi, an area where they were vulnerable to tsetse fly and other wild animals, in 1959 following the widespread massacres and destruction of their houses in other parts of the country. It suffered repeated cycles of genocide beginning in 1959, resulting in the death or exile of many residents. The region was marginalised and isolated, resulting in little or no socio-economic development. However, the hard work of those transported there made the land productive area since the soil was very fertile. Other people came to live in that area once it became hospitable. In 1990, the population was terrorised and imprisoned after being accused of sympathizing with the RPF and in 1992 a vicious genocide took place in the neighbouring region of Bugesera, and rapidly spread to Rukumberi, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people.
Much of the area of
Rukumberi is still extremely poor
In 1994, genocide began at
Rukumberi on April 7th. Tens of thousands of people
were killed at Rukoma health center, in homes, in the
fields and elsewhere. In 2001 the remains of 28,000
people who were killed in the genocide were given a
dignified burial during the national commemoration of
the genocide on April 7th.
The few survivors in Rukumberi are deeply traumatized,
very suspicious and do not trust anyone complaining
that they are visited for pictures but not helped.
Most survivors are widows and have had little
opportunity to come together, let alone to have time of
sharing their experiences and how God preserved their
lives during and after the genocide. They are poor,
handicapped, hopeless, and as it can be expected, a
number of women and girls suffer from the trauma of
sexual violence. Some of them are suffering from
HIV/AIDS as a consequence.
Survivors give thanks
at Rukumberi
Solace Ministries in Rukumberi
In 2005 Solace Ministries started an outreach to
Rukumberi but found the people were very suspicious and
in fear of any external presence to the point of
feeling their lives were threatened. So they were
surprised to be told about the love of God and asked
Solace to continue to visit with them. Now, a community
has started in Rukumberi with 145 families of widows
and orphans. The survivors have big unused lands that
can be used for crops and cattle breeding.
Kids at
Rukumberi
Envisioned activities
Solace Ministries wants to bring the message of comfort
to the people of Rukumberi. The approach includes the
spiritual, social, mental and physical aspects of their
lives, and should lead to trauma healing and economic
sustainability. In fellowship meetings they are given
opportunity to share about their experiences and
testimonies of the faithfulness of God, their fears and
hopes. The message of comfort is proclaimed here,
presenting Jesus as the one who heals and comforts
through his work on the Cross. People needing special
attention receive individual counselling.
Woman with an
unhealed wound at Rukumberi
In 2007 Comfort
Rwanda, with a team from Ebenezer Church,
Airdrie and Erskine Church of the Nazarene visited
Rukumberi with members from Solace. It is the start of
what we hope will be a partnership of friendship,
fellowship and support. Some of the aspects of proposed
support include:
- Identify young adult survivors who have missed
their schooling. Send them to school and help pay the
school fees. Also support them through Christian
Education during their meetings and camps.
• Help grow crops that can bring cash, such as fruit, vegetables, groundnuts.
• Support them with improved breed dairy cows
• Distribute small animals( goats or pigs) to families
• A project for 10 houses for the neediest of all would be presented to the local administration.
