Under the stark fluorescent lights of a government meeting room, a haunting silence enveloped the audience as a genocide survivor from Rwanda shared her harrowing story. Speaking on April 12, 2025, she recounted the traumatic events of 1994, when she was just nine years old and living in fear as the genocide against the Tutsi unfolded.

Her narrative began with a chilling moment when she learned that a neighbor had been killed, prompting her family to flee for their lives. They sought refuge at a nearby factory, but the situation quickly deteriorated. The survivor described how they were advised to seek safety at a UN mission site, only to find that the peacekeepers had withdrawn, leaving them vulnerable.

As they attempted to reach the National Stadium, a roadblock of militia and soldiers awaited them. The survivor vividly recalled the terror of that moment, as they were told they would be killed. Tragically, she learned that everyone at the UN site had been murdered, a revelation that shattered her world. “You have to mature up now,” a caretaker urged her, emphasizing the weight of responsibility that now rested on her young shoulders.

In the chaos, she received news that her aunt had survived, but the militia would only take the baby and the nanny, leaving her behind. Overcome with grief and fear, she ran back to a house where she would remain alone for two months, surviving on powdered milk and rainwater.

Her testimony at the meeting was not just a recounting of personal trauma; it was a call to remember and honor the history of the genocide. “We want to tell the truth of what happened,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of solidarity among survivors. Her words resonated deeply, reminding all present of the enduring impact of such atrocities and the necessity of preserving the memory of those lost.

As the meeting concluded, the survivor’s story lingered in the air, a poignant reminder of the past and a call to ensure that such horrors are never repeated. Her courage in sharing her experience serves as a vital link to history, urging society to confront its darkest chapters with honesty and compassion.