Survivor Stories
Purpose
This section aims to provide a human face to the statistics and legal findings presented throughout the site, emphasizing the lived experiences of survivors who endured unimaginable atrocities during the Rwandan Genocide and the Holocaust. By sharing their testimonies, we honor the resilience, strength, and courage of those who lived through these traumatic events. Survivor stories allow us to move beyond abstract numbers and historical accounts, giving voice to individuals whose lives were forever changed by these genocides. Through their narratives, we hope to foster empathy, deepen understanding, and ensure that the memory of these atrocities remains a catalyst for education and prevention.
The Rwandan Genocide
This video, "Survivors of Genocide - Valentine Iribagiza (Rwanda)," shares the powerful and personal story of Valentine Iribagiza, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Through her moving testimony, Valentine recounts the horrors she experienced as a Tutsi woman targeted during the genocide. She describes the trauma of losing her family, the fear of persecution, and the resilience that allowed her to endure and rebuild her life in the aftermath.
Valentine’s story offers a deeply human perspective on the atrocities committed during the genocide, particularly the unique challenges faced by women who were subjected to violence and systemic dehumanization. Her testimony serves as both a tribute to the strength of survivors and a reminder of the ongoing need for justice, healing, and education.
This video is a vital resource for understanding the personal impact of the genocide and highlights the importance of preserving and amplifying survivor voices. Viewer discretion is advised, as the video includes sensitive and graphic discussions of violence and its aftermath.
Jacqueline Hangenimana, a girl from Cellule Muremure, Munanira Sector of Commune Masango in Gitarama Prefecture, describes how killing in the 1994 Rwandan genocide mainly started in Kibuye prefecture and how many refugees from that prefecture had wounds that were inflicted by gangs using machetes. Her home was destroyed and her family's livestock was looted and she was forced to flee to Nzuki Catholic Parish. She hid in a thicket, then went to relatives but was still not safe. She then decided to seek refuge in a church in Commune Mukingi. The church was attacked and people inside were killed. A Hutu took her in but she tells that she was mistreated, insulted often, and even tortured. Her uncle was forced to dig a hole, which he was thrown into then covered up to his head. He was then clubbed until he died. The Hutu family later escaped with her to Kibuye since the RPF Inkotanyi was coming. At the end of the genocide, Jacqueline was taken to an orphanage.
The Holocaust
This video, "Out of the Shadows: Stories of Sexual Violence in the Holocaust," offers a deeply moving and personal glimpse into the experiences of those who endured the Holocaust. Through candid interviews, survivors recount their harrowing memories of violence, loss, and resilience, shedding light on the human impact of one of the most devastating atrocities of the 20th century.
The video emphasizes the unique challenges faced by women during the genocide, including the widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon of destruction. Survivors discuss the physical and emotional scars left by these acts and their ongoing fight for justice and healing. These accounts remind viewers of the importance of preserving memory and amplifying the voices of those who lived through such horrors.
This resource is a powerful testament to the strength of survivors and serves as a call to action for education, remembrance, and prevention of future genocides. Viewer discretion is advised, as the video includes sensitive and graphic discussions of violence and its aftermath.