Mukomeze – Empower her/him

Mukomeze supports survivors of sexual violence of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994. These women, men and their children still live daily with the consequences of this horrific event. Mukomeze supports them, together with our partner organization Solace Ministries in Rwanda, and our sponsors and donors, to regain their social and economic independence.

ABABIRI BARUTA UMWE – Two accomplish more than one

Ways to support

The Mukomeze Foundation supports the survivors of sexual violence during the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda mainly through sponsorships for individuals and through projects for communities and groups. We can really use your support. Wondering how you can help?

Our mission and vision

In the national language of Rwanda, Mukomeze means empower her/him. The Mukomeze Foundation improves the living conditions of survivors of rape and other forms of sexual violence during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. By supporting these survivors physically, psychologically, materially, socially, economically and spiritually, Mukomeze contributes to their empowerment. This allows them to provide for their own existence and gain hope for a dignified future.

Support still needed

Even years after the genocide, support is still necessary. The victims of sexual violence are often infected with Hiv/AIDS. Partly because of this, they develop other diseases as a result of their deteriorated immune system, such as cancer and tuberculosis. In addition, they are confronted with recurring trauma. They also lost many possessions. It is difficult to rebuild your life in these circumstances.

Read the book of Mama Lambert (EPUB)

Upon coming face-to-face with death, Beata escapes its fearsome grasp at the last moment. This hair-raising escape alone justifies the book’s title, ‘For those who do not believe in miracles’, a biography of Beata Mukarubuga. An almost unbelievable tale of the horrors of the genocide against the Tutsi that broke out in 1994 in Rwanda, as seen through the eyes of Beata, a Tutsi woman and one of its victims. She was on the run for three months with her one year-old son, Lambert, on her back. She survives the terrible slaughter, but loses everything dear to her. Now she faces the nearly impossible task of building a new future for herself all alone […]

Mama Lambert (1952-2024) had been the head of counseling of Solace Ministries in Rwanda since 2002, where she supported thousands and thousands of genocide survivors in coming to terms with the genocide against the Tutsi, including the women and men in the Mukomeze program.

Read the book ‘And I Live On’ (EPUB)

In the 100 days of genocide that ravaged the small East Central African nation of Rwanda between April and July 1994, approximately 1 million Tutsi and moderate Hutu were killed, and an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 women and girls were raped, as well as an unknown number of men and boys. Almost all Rwandan women who survived the genocide were victims of sexual violence or were profoundly affected by it, and an astounding 70 per cent of survivors are living with hiv. And I Live On features searing testimonials from Rwandan survivors of the genocide 15 and 25 years after the horrific events of 1994. The testimonials showcase the survivors’ extraordinary strength, courage and resilience—challenging the stigma they face as survivors of sexual violence […].

The stories featured in And I Live On are from genocide survivors supported by Solace Ministries and Mukomeze, and include the impact made by these organisations on the lives of the survivors.

Rwanda

Rwanda, the land of the 1000 hills, is a beautiful country, but it has a dark history. In 1994, about 1 million people were murdered in the genocide against the Tutsi. Sexual violence was used during the massacre as an instrument of the genocide.

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