06:00, 07 April 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
Each year, the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda provides a poignant moment to honour the lives lost, support survivors, and reinforce the global commitment to preventing future atrocities.
For Survivors Fund (SURF), a UK-registered charity, this day is a vital opportunity to amplify the voices of those directly affected by one of the darkest chapters in human history.
As the principal international non-governmental organisation dedicated to supporting survivors of the genocide, SURF has worked tirelessly since its establishment in 1997. With its head office in Kigali, Rwanda, and its team firmly embedded within the community, SURF’s mission remains clear: to offer both practical and emotional support to survivors, helping them rebuild their lives and secure their rights.
Smiley News spoke with Samuel Munderere, Chief Executive, and David Russell, UK Coordinator of SURF, about the organisation’s critical role in supporting survivors, the challenges they face, and the ongoing efforts to ensure that the genocide's memory is preserved for future generations.
When reflecting on SURF’s support for survivors, particularly during the commemorative period surrounding the Day of Reflection, Samuel Munderere explained how the organisation continues to play a crucial role in both remembrance and survivor support.
“Our approach goes beyond commemoration. We offer financial, psychological, and legal assistance, helping survivors rebuild their lives through education, livelihood programmes, and trauma counselling,” he said.
On this day, SURF’s efforts are often focused on remembrance through collaboration with local survivor-led groups such as National Association of Genocide Survivor’s Organisations (IBUKA), National Association of Genocide Widows (AVEGA Agahozo), and National Survivor’s Association of Graduate Students (GAERG).
“We organise and support events in Rwanda and internationally that ensure the genocide’s history is preserved and survivors’ voices are heard,”
But remembrance is not just a ceremonial duty for SURF. The organisation recognises that for many survivors, the International Day of Reflection can also trigger traumatic memories. As such, SURF provides psychosocial support through national helplines and trauma counselling, ensuring that those who need help can access it.
Education is another cornerstone of SURF’s efforts to promote healing and remembrance. Through various initiatives, the organisation supports the integration of genocide education into Rwanda’s school curriculum, ensuring that future generations understand the history of the genocide and its far-reaching consequences.
Furthermore, scholarships and workshops for survivors help provide them with the tools to heal and share their stories, preserving their experiences for posterity.
Commemoration activities, such as survivor-led workshops and discussions, provide survivors with spaces to share their memories, connect with others, and collectively mourn their losses.
“Commemoration is an essential aspect of our work. It allows survivors to pay tribute to the victims and ensures that future generations are educated about the genocide, preventing denial and revisionism.”
In collaboration with other organisations, SURF has supported the construction and maintenance of over 40 memorial sites across Rwanda, which serve as physical reminders of the genocide's impact and its legacy. These sites are a place for survivors and the broader community to reflect and remember those who perished.
As the years pass, ensuring that the memory of the genocide endures becomes more pressing. One of the most critical ways SURF addresses this issue is by engaging Rwanda's younger generation. Through collaboration with groups like GAERG, SURF facilitates school visits and workshops where young people learn about the genocide’s history and its ongoing effects on survivors. These initiatives are vital for fostering a culture of truth, resilience, and remembrance.
David Russell noted that “digital archives and survivor testimonies are essential in preserving these voices for future generations.”
Through these efforts, young Rwandans are empowered not only to remember but also to advocate for genocide prevention. Leadership training and vocational programmes also equip young survivors with the skills needed to rebuild their lives while keeping the genocide’s history alive.
Despite the progress made, survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi continue to face significant challenges. These include limited access to healthcare, economic opportunities, secure housing, and justice.
“The most pressing issues are healthcare, particularly mental health services, and economic opportunities for survivors to lift them out of poverty,”
David added that “the global community can play a critical role by providing financial resources, training professionals, and offering legal support.”
The impact of the genocide is long-lasting, and survivors need continued support to overcome these challenges. Whether through financial donations or supporting grassroots initiatives, the international community has a key role to play in ensuring survivors can live with dignity and healing.
One of the most vital aspects of SURF’s work is its collaboration with local and international organisations. By partnering with survivor-led groups and other NGOs, SURF amplifies the voices of survivors and helps secure necessary resources. “We work alongside organisations such as the UN Outreach Programme to ensure survivors’ testimonies are accessible globally,” said Samuel.
By focusing on collective efforts, SURF is helping to create a network of support that extends beyond Rwanda, ensuring that the voices of survivors are heard and their needs met both locally and internationally.
As well as the organisations mentioned previously in this article, SURF is in partnership with Foundation Rwanda to help support second-generation survivors, specifically children born to women who were raped during the genocide. This initiative offers access to counselling, alongside assistance for further education and entrepreneurship, aimed at assisting this highly vulnerable and marginalised group. Moreover, the initiative drives powerful advocacy to illuminate the enduring impact of the genocide, ensuring its lessons resonate far and wide with a broader audience.
As we reflect on the lessons of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, it is crucial that we continue to support efforts like those of SURF. The challenges faced by survivors are far from over, and their needs remain urgent.
For those looking to support this work, Samuel and David stress that donations are the most effective way to contribute. “Every penny donated goes directly to supporting survivors in Rwanda,” David affirmed. By supporting the work of organisations like SURF, we can all play a part in ensuring that the memory of the genocide is never forgotten and that survivors continue to receive the care and support they deserve.
In the words of Samuel Munderere, “It is our collective responsibility to remember, to support, and to work towards a future where such atrocities are never repeated.”
As we observe the International Day of Reflection, let us honour the survivors and commit ourselves to ensuring their voices are heard for generations to come.
For more information on how you can support the work of Survivors Fund (SURF), visit survivors-fund.org.uk.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Comic Relief. The charity behind Red Nose Day that raises funds through comedy and entertainment to tackle poverty and social injustice worldwide. Find out more.
Oxfam. This international charity is dedicated to tackling poverty and inequality. It works in numerous countries, providing aid, education, and healthcare, particularly in crisis zones. Learn more here.
Children in Need. Organised and hosted by the BBC, Children in Need is a well-known annual charity appeal that raises funds for projects supporting disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. Support them here.
Image credit to: Andrew Sutton / Survivors Fund (SURF)
