Stories of Change

Mekha Rousseau is the son of a genocide survivor. Only on turning 18 did he realize he’s also the son of a perpetrator. Peace and Values education developed at the Kigali Genocide Memorial helped him process that experience – and understand his own role in helping to prevent future violence.

Grenade fragments still embedded in his body remind Albert Rutikanga of the day his parents and siblings were murdered in the Genocide against the Tutsi. He never imagined forgiveness was possible, but became a teacher – and then took part in training at the Kigali Genocide Memorial.

Thanks to peace education and trauma healing conducted by the Aegis Trust’s team in the Central African Republic – who were trained by educators from the Kigali Genocide Memorial – Kadjidjia gave up weapons and her plans to kill the man who betrayed her to a militia group.

After discovering the impact of the Kigali Genocide Memorial, South Sudanese peace builder Nicholas Aru Maan worked with colleagues to bring community leaders over from South Sudan. It had a transformative impact.