Epathnie - survivor TESTIMONY “When the genocide war began my husband abandoned me. I am Tutsi and he is Hutu. I could not understand why he left me because he also offered protection throughout the war from being massacred. During the genocide I was a prisoner in my house in daily fear of leaving and being butchered by the militia. After the war I asked my husband why are you leaving me now – he said it was because I had no family to bring him gifts, I no longer had value. When I joined the local Dialogue club I was very sceptical because there were more ex-combatants and prisoners than survivors. But through the trauma counselling, and the teaching of reconciliation and forgiveness, I regained my faith. The club has improved the quality of my life emotionally and practically. My club have come together and built a kitchen for my house which had been destroyed during the war.” Epathanie 45, with two children. 17 May 2012, Rwanda

Jean-Marie - ex-prisoner TESTIMONY “I was falsely accused of being a part of the killings and hauled into jail without a trial. After seven tortuous years I finally had a Gacaca trial. The judges interrogated me about the murders and I gave them a first-hand account of what I witnessed – based on my testimony, they convicted me as an ‘accomplice’ but set me free because I had already spent 7 years in jail. After my release I felt isolated – too many years in a horrible environment where I fought hunger daily. When I returned to my village I heard about the programme Interna- tional Alert was offering which appealed to me because I wanted to learn how to create a business to improve my life. The programme has been inspiring, it helped me not only to begin a business but design new schemes for expansion. I could not have done that without the training. Now, I assist my neighbours to creating their new business. My dream is to have security; without that there is no future.” Jean-Marie 47, married with six children. 21 May 2012, Rwanda

Patricia - survivor TESTIMONY “At the beginning of the war I rushed to my brother’s home and found they had all been hacked to death. Their 4 month old daughter was lying next to her mother in a pool of blood. I picked her up and ran toward the border of Burundi to escape. Along my escape I was attacked many times by local Hutu who were in mob frenzy. They slashed my body with pangas, and broke my shoulder. I was in agony but held on to the baby. They finally stopped their attack and walked away because they thought I was dead. I walked all night to reach the safety of the Burundi border. The years after the war ended were desperate. My house was stolen, and the cattle had been butchered – I had nothing. I joined the local Dialogue Club to find solace. The trauma counselling was especially helpful. The training helped me realise there is no future for peace unless I can live in peace with my neighbours, even if they are Hutu and participated in my attack during the war.” Patricia 63, grandmother 22 May 2012, Rwanda

“My Masculinity was Stolen” An ex-prisoner is counselled by a gathering of the local Alert Dialogue Club about how to cope with his wife’s rejection following his return home after having spent nearly a decade in jail. He says, “my masculinity is stolen, I am depressed, no longer a man”. The club members gently advise him to show her love, to court her again as if they were young lovers – not to show her hate and to let go of his anger. 17 May 2012, Rwanda

Claudine - survivor TESTIMONY “I witnessed the killing of my entire family as the militia viciously attacked them with their panga. The Interahamwe kept me alive for their sexual entertainment. I was abused daily by so many men that I lost count. Rape is the most humiliating experience any woman experiences because it creates eternal shame. When the war ended, I wanted to end my life – there was nothing to live for. My entire family was murdered, our home destroyed. My life was empty. In my village the Survivor’s Assistant Fund organised a meeting for both survivors and perpe- trators so we would gain insights into all our combined needs. The dialogue was enlightening because we learned that we had shared problems, no matter our ethnic background – Hutu or Tutsi. The trauma-training programme was invaluable. It so helped me understand how to manage the loss and let go of anger.” Claudine 41, unmarried, three children 18 May 2012, Rwanda

In a Landscape Nestled in the landscape is the skeletal remains of a home destroyed during the 1994 geno- cide. A tragic reminder of an era that not only massacred lives but also dismantled the family homestead so that surviving Tutsi would have nothing to return to when the war ended. 17 May 2012, Rwanda

Lambert - ex-combatant TESTIMONY “I was only 17 at the onset of the ’94 genocide war when my family was forced into a refugee camp in the Congo by the Rwandan Patriotic Front soldiers. After the war I joined the rebel forces in the Congo. I was badly wounded, and returned to Rwanda to get medi- cal treatment. The authorities sent me to an integration camp for 6 months and gave me a stake of $350 to start a new life – I foolishly wasted it all on drink to relieve my depression. Back home I heard about a programme for ex-combatants suffering from depression, holding on to anger, I realised I wasn’t alone. The first step of healing was trauma counsel- ling – my hate was reduced, for the first time in many years I no longer felt isolated, lonely. After counseling I received micro-financing to create a farming project. One successful project has led to another – I married, have a family and we are building a life together filled with hope. This could not have happened without the support of the Dialogue Club and counselling.” Lambert 35, married with one small child 9 May 2012, Rwanda

Planting Pineapples for the Future a club collaboration These Dialogue Club member has collaborated in creating a pineapple plantation. Hutus and Tutsis work side by side with a unifying goal to reduce their poverty and improve their way of life through economic security. 14 May 2012, Rwanda

Planting Pineapples for the Future a club collaboration These Dialogue Club member has collaborated in creating a pineapple plantation. Hutus and Tutsis work side by side with a unifying goal to reduce their poverty and improve their way of life through economic security. 14 May 2012, Rwanda

Joseph - survivor TESTIMONY “My father and I escaped being killed by the Interahawame and fled to Burundi. I lost 30 family members during the genocide. After the war ended we returned to our village. Coming back home was a horrendous experience. Can you imagine how I felt learning that virtually all of my family were murdered; only my mother was spared because she was Hutu. I had nightmares for years haunted by the sounds of screaming voices, as they were tortured, pleading not to be butchered. The militia were vindictive after they slaughtered the Tutsi they destroyed their properties so anyone surviving would have nothing to come home to. A local official in my village encouraged me to join the dialogue club, a place he said would help lift me out of my despair. The trauma counselling helped me understand my fears. The most exciting thing the project offered was micro-financing to start a business, which has lessened my poverty. Most importantly I have learnt how to forgive and have no regrets. It is the only way forward to prevent another genocide. Joseph 37, married and has five children 17 May 2012, Rwanda

Chantal - prisoner’s wife TESTIMONY “During the three months of terror, I lived inside the St. Famille Church; the infamous house of worship where more than 1,000 Tutsi were slaughtered and the priest allowed it to happen! Every day I was witness to the killings; I did nothing to stop the shedding of blood because I was afraid I too would be massacred. My husband was not involved with the kill- ings but he was arrested and put in jail without a trial like many Hutus. Even though I am Hutu I was totally against the war as it raged murdering so many innocent people. When the war ended, I was depressed and felt isolated - I heard about the Dialogue Club, and the sharing of experiences, and I joined. The trauma counselling was a significant factor in my recovery from the aftermath of war, with my husband in jail. The micro-financing project I participated in helped me improve my family home with electricity and safe water for the children. My dream is to build a big house so I can support other women with war problems.” Chantal 47, married with six children. 16 May 2012, Rwanda

In a Landscape Nestled in the landscape is the skeletal remains of a home destroyed during the 1994 geno- cide. A tragic reminder of an era that not only massacred lives but also dismantled the family homestead so that surviving Tutsi would have nothing to return to when the war ended. 17 May 2012, Rwanda

Esperance - survivor - Hutu TESTIMONY “When the genocide began I was living with my parents. The local Hutu gang raided our house and demanded that my nephew kill his mother who was Tutsi. When he refused, they attacked him using traditional weapons to create maximum pain. After torturing him, they went next door to his mother’s home and slaughtered her. The most horrendous image I have from that haunting day in April was seeing my Tutsi sister-in-law lying on the floor, blood splattered everywhere by the local Hutu militia gang. Her head was not totally decapitated; it was hanging by a thread. For many years after the genocide war had ended, I had suffered from grinding poverty and a sense of isolation; I was deeply depressed. Since becoming a member of the Dialogue Club in my village I no longer feel alone with my problems. Now I have people who listen to me, counsel me, people who care. After all those years of living in a cloud of depression, I am feeling happy.” Esperance 52, widowed with four children 21 May 2012, Rwanda

Tutsi and Hutu work together to rebuild their homes that were destroyed during the genocide. The Dialogue Clubs in the local community was the inspiration to undertake projects that support their neighbours. The sharing of a positive experience has created an atmosphere fostering friendship and overcoming historic hostilities. 17 May 2012 Rwanda

Reconciled Tutsi and Hutu work together to rebuild their homes that were destroyed during the genocide. The Dialogue Clubs in the local community was the inspiration to un- dertake projects that support their neighbours. The sharing of a positive experience has created an atmosphere fostering friendship and overcoming historic hostilities. 17 May 2012, Rwanda

Reconciled Tutsi and Hutu work together to rebuild their homes that were destroyed during the genocide. The Dialogue Clubs in the local community was the inspiration to un- dertake projects that support their neighbours. The sharing of a positive experience has created an atmosphere fostering friendship and overcoming historic hostilities. 17 May 2012, Rwanda

Predictably after many conflicts, the prejudice, deep scars, and trauma from the war are passed on from one generation to another. As such, the horrors of the past risk contaminating yet more lives in the future.Dialogue Clubs for Peace were created for schools to benefit young people affected by the consequences of the genocide and their quest to live in a peaceful society as united Rwandans. Here the students debate the factors, which led Rwandans to genocide like discrimination, and rumours, … and its consequences of ethnic hatred and stigmatisation. The clubs programme has been a significant factor in reducing tensions in communities allowing families to live side by side in peace.Lessons learned are inspirational as many students carry the messages they have learned into their local communities and created replicas of their clubs.Supporting the younger generation of Rwandans to overcome the burden of history and build a future free of violence is one of the primary aims of the peace building process. Adec-Ruhanga School 23 May 2012

James - ex-prisoner TESTIMONY “In school we were taught that Tutsi were evil people dedicated to harming Hutu. The government curriculum fuelled the hatred with those teachings. Today this has changed with an emphasis on reconciliation and forgiveness, that we are all Rwandese. When I returned to my village after the war, a Tutsi family occupied our home; they falsely accused me of murders. I was innocent, but the authorities arrested me. I spent over a decade in jail, half my life, without a trial. Finally I was released, as there was no evidence I ever committed any crime. Naturally my heart was filled with bitterness and hate for those that lied”. The introduction to the Dialogue Club was life saving. I went through an intensive pro- gramme of trauma counselling that emphasized reconciliation and forgiveness. Without this counselling, I could have never been able to eliminate the hate. Importantly, following the counselling I joined a special programme for entrepreneurship where we learned how to develop a successful business that could help us climb out of poverty with our families James 33, and his wife Faina 30 with their baby 24 May 2012, Rwanda

Hair weaving doll The Gacuriro Vocational Training School was created by the government to provide skills for all. The school specializes in auto mechanics, carpentry, welding, tailoring, catering, and professional hair care. Students who attend this and other schools like it are provided pros- pects for future employment to rebuild Rwanda and lift them out of the cycle of poverty. 25 May 2012 Rwanda

Jean-Nepomuscene - ex-combatant TESTIMONY “I was in the military when Juvenal Habyarimana was the president of Rwanda. After the genocide I fled to the Congo and joined the FDLR (The Forces Democratique de Liberation du Rwanda). My wife and I lived in a compound with other insurgents. Life in the camp was miserable. It was a painful existence, especially for the women. Eventually she was fed up with life in the camp and returned to Rwanda. My wife convinced me that the war I was fighting had no merit and no future. I abandoned the gun and surrendered to the authorities in Rwanda. The government was very supportive and gave me RF150,000 to construct a house for my family. I was extremely concerned how my neighbours would receive me, some who would have suffered from my actions when I was in the military, that they would hate my returning. A local member of the Alert Dialogue Club encouraged me to attend a meeting where I could meet other combatants and survivors having dialogues – this made my life easier for integration as we shared our emotions and counselled one another.” Jean-Nepomuscene, 37 - 15 May 2012, Rwanda

Tailors in training The Gacuriro Vocational Training School was created by the government to provide skills for all. The school specializes in auto mechanics, carpentry, welding, tailoring, catering, and pro- fessional hair care. Students who attend this and other schools like it are provided prospects for future employment to rebuild Rwanda and lift them out of the cycle of poverty. 25 May 2012, Rwanda

Conselata and Jeandamscenu, survivors TESTIMONY “Jeandamscenu and I met after the war ended. We both had suffered the loss of our entire family during that era of terror. I still have nightmares of my sister who sought refuge in a Hutu neighbour’s home but they turned against her and pushed her into their latrine where she died. I cannot imagine the humiliation she felt of having that terrifying experience. In the early days after the war our poverty was extreme; it was a daily struggle to survive. I heard about the local Dialogue Club and how it helped people. The trauma counselling opened up my heart; it allowed me to forgive those who had committed crimes, especially the family that murdered my sister. I believe if God permitted me to live, I must find for- giveness for all those who committed crimes in the war. This thought gives me peace.” Conselata, 40 and Jeandamscenu, 50 live with their two children 10 May 2012 Rwanda

Conselata and Jeandamscenu - Survivors TESTIMONY “Jeandamscenu and I met after the war ended. We both had suffered the loss of our entire family during that era of terror. I still have nightmares of my sister who sought refuge in a Hutu neighbour’s home but they turned against her and pushed her into their latrine where she died. I cannot imagine the humiliation she felt of having that terrifying experience. In the early days after the war our poverty was extreme; it was a daily struggle to survive. I heard about the local Dialogue Club and how it helped people. The trauma counselling opened up my heart; it allowed me to forgive those who had committed crimes, especially the family that murdered my sister. I believe if God permitted me to live, I must find forgiveness for all those who committed crimes in the war. This thought gives me peace.” Conselata, 40 and Jeandamscenu , 50 have two children 10 May 2012, Rwanda