Bisesero
Bisesero is an area in the west of Rwanda, near Kibuye, on the shores of Lake Kivu. It was the only place in Rwanda where any concerted resistance to the genocide took place. The men defended themselves and their women and children with stones and sticks against the repeated onslaughts of the interahamwe and the Rwandan army with their guns, machetes and grenades. Because the women and children were gathered together for protection they were easy prey for the reinforced militias with the army. After 11 weeks of massacre, on the 27th June, French soldiers arrived and encouraged the survivors to come out of their hiding place, but then quickly left and abandoned them to their killers. Estimates vary of between 30,000 and 50,000 being killed on the hills of Bisesero, but what is clear is that only around 1,000 survived.
Comfort Rwanda and Solace Ministries have twice recently visited survivors there. Bishopbriggs Community Church is working with Comfort Rwanda to be a blessing to the survivors there and we are hopeful that appropriate support will be given to them.
Bisesero is an area in the west of Rwanda, near Kibuye, on the shores of Lake Kivu. It was the only place in Rwanda where any concerted resistance to the genocide took place. The men defended themselves and their women and children with stones and sticks against the repeated onslaughts of the interahamwe and the Rwandan army with their guns, machetes and grenades. Because the women and children were gathered together for protection they were easy prey for the reinforced militias with the army. After 11 weeks of massacre, on the 27th June, French soldiers arrived and encouraged the survivors to come out of their hiding place, but then quickly left and abandoned them to their killers. Estimates vary of between 30,000 and 50,000 being killed on the hills of Bisesero, but what is clear is that only around 1,000 survived.
Comfort Rwanda and Solace Ministries have twice recently visited survivors there. Bishopbriggs Community Church is working with Comfort Rwanda to be a blessing to the survivors there and we are hopeful that appropriate support will be given to them.
The hills of Bisesero