ASSOCIATION DES ETUDIANTS ET ELEVES RESCAPES DU GENOCIDE COORDINATION NATIONALE

B.P. 1648 KIGALI TEL :+250788306930

E-mail: aergnationale@yahoo.fr

I.INTRODUCTION

Historical background of AERG

A.E.R.G (Association des Etudiants et Elèves Rescapés du Genocide) is an association of student survivors of genocide created in 1996 at National University of Rwanda by about thirty students. After its creation, it has been necessary to extend via others 12 higher leaning institutions newly created in the country and in secondary schools. The members of A.E.R.G. are into three categories:

• Effective members

• Adherent members

• Honorary members

The main mission of A.E.R.G. is to gather and represent all higher leaning and secondary school student survivors of Genocide, which have taken away their parents and relatives. A.E.R.G. was found to become a new family for all orphans of genocide.

OBJECTIVES

• Gather and represent all student survivors of genocide that request to become members.

• Identify the academic and social problems encountered by the student survivors of Genocide.

• Collect and forward necessary information on the welfare of student survivors and Genocide perpetrators in their respective regions.

• Promote the mutual materiel and moral help among members.

• Collaborate with people or associations and organisms on national and international scales for the welfare of Genocide survivors.

• Build the memory of Genocide, collect and conserve the testimonies and any other information related to the Genocide.

• Fight against negativist ideas and that the Genocide does not happen again in our country or elsewhere.

• Bury the remains of Genocide victims with respect.

1. PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE STUDENT SURVIVORS OF GENOCIDE

a) Lack of food and shelter

The majority of student survivors stayed without shelter after Genocide because not only their parents and relatives exterminated but also their houses have been destroyed and burnt. Some of these young survivors were in orphanages, others in the adoptive families, which did not look for them, others have been the barmen and barmaid even houseboys and house girls in order to get food and shelter. These young’s, when they continue to survive in these bad conditions they look after others means of living which lead them to be prostitute; in a case of the girls; to take drogues and alcohol for both girls and boys. Such ways lead them to the HIV/AIDS or unwanted pregnancies to the girls.

b) Lack of parental care

Many of student survivors were very young during the Genocide period, they cost their roots-father, mother, sister and brothers. They also lost the care from their intimate families.

c) Poverty

Even if the government has done an effort to pay the studies for many of the students survivors through the fund in help of Genocide survivors FARG. There are several problems that need the assistance such as:
  The means of transport
  Sanitation needs in general but especially for the girls
  Clothes The lack of these means disappointed the young survivors thinking that they could not have problems if their parents are still existing.

d) Psychological damages (Trauma)

Since the Genocide period, the psychological damages commonly known as “Trauma” are multiplying as time goes on. The youth survivors of Genocide did not escape to that terrible situation. Sometimes, they want to sit alone thinking on their survival situation, others know the serious crisis especially during the mourning period some are not able to continue their studies, even if they are able they do not succeed.

National coordinator of AERG

KABERA JEAN PAUL