Survivors Fund
Survivors Fund (or SURF), founded in 1997, represents and supports survivors of the Rwandan genocide in the United Kingdom and Rwanda. It is the only international charity with a specific remit to assist survivors of the Rwandan genocide, and has offices in London and Kigali. It is registered with the Charity Commission.
The charity supports projects for survivors in Rwanda in the fields of education, healthcare, shelter, justice and memory. It is currently raising awareness of the threat to survivors resulting from the release of prisoners through gacaca.
Survivors Fund was founded by Mary Kayitesi Blewitt, a British Citizen of Rwandan origin, at the behest of survivors after losing 50 family members during the genocide in 1994. At the end of the genocide in July 1994, Blewitt volunteered for the Ministry of Rehabilitation in Rwanda, working for eight months helping to bury the dead and to support the survivors. This formative experience inspired her to set up Survivors Fund on her return to the UK to ensure that survivors received aid, assistance and support, and that their voices would be heard by people around the world. Her work has meant that she has received numerous awards such as 'Woman of the year' and appointment as an OBE.
Survivors Fund activity is focused on the following areas:
Survivors still suffer from genocide related physical injuries, mental health illnesses and HIV and AIDS which require specialist care. Many survivors were infected with HIV and AIDS during the genocide, and still do not have access to antiretroviral treatment. There is also a need to for specialist doctors to assess the required surgery which is not available in Rwanda for those still suffering from untreated, but treatable, wounds incurred during the genocide.
There are many young survivors who are orphans of genocide and head a family of their siblings. After genocide, many children in Rwanda found themselves suddenly assuming adult roles and responsibilities when they themselves needed parental care. Over 15,000 young survivors have no access to school, and efforts to support them have met several challenges. The more grown-up survivors are expected to be at school for more than 10 hours a day, but have younger children to take care of at home. They need food and clothing, scholastic materials and shelter. Although the Government of Rwanda set up a fund called FARG to facilitate orphans to study, the contribution is inadequate and many of this vulnerable group are unable to obtain support from FARG.
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