GENOCIDE
The Rwandan genocide was the slaughter of an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and
moderate Hutus mostly done by two extremist Hutu militia, the Interahamwe
and the Impuzamugambi, during a period of 100 days in 1994. This tragedy
crippled the Rwandan people and the nation as a whole. Politically,
economically, and socially, Rwanda was in shambles as her people had been
heartlessly slaughtered in the name of ethnic cleansing. Countless men,
women, and children lost loved ones and struggled as the economic
ramifications of the genocide began to appear.
Despite the atrocities of the genocide, the Rwandan people are resilient and are beginning to rebuild their lives. Coffee is proving to play a significant role in the renewal of this tattered country. Rwanda’s countryside is perfect for growing and cultivating coffee and the Rwandan people are taking advantage of these conditions.
TRUE STORY:
Epiphany, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, means to manifest or to
appear. Epiphany is also the name of a woman whose life was changed by the
1994 genocide in Rwanda. Her husband and one of her children were massacred
during this tragedy. Epiphany directed her energy to grow and sell coffee.
Through her sales and some additional funding, she created a wet mill in her
region to allow her fellow growers to process the coffee beans to meet
specialty standards. By working together and contributing to the success of
others, Epiphanie feels that her faith has been restored.
WOMEN OF THE INYAKURAMA:
Below are two humble letters from widows who have benefited from microfinance loans provided by the Inyakurama.
"I am called Uwamutara - Peggy, and I am a member of the Inyakurama Association.
The association gave me a loan and it assisted me to set up a small shop to dress hair
for women. With my small income, I can finally solve a few of my home problems and I
hope that if the Inyakurama Association can help me with another loan, I will
add to the little I have, and put it on a high standard. I believe that God will help me.
God be with you!!
Peggy."
"Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am called Makoriko - Claudine and
I am a member of the Inyakurama Association since 1998. That Association gave me a loan
and I supply gravel to association of contractors and I get some profits which helps me
to look after my family. If I can get more assistance I can add to what the Inyakurama
Association gave me, because I share the little amount of money I make.
God bless you!
Yours in Christ,
Claudine."