ly “I was six years old when my fami year was murdered. I was in my first id. afra was of school, and everyone r unde When the killers came we hid er on a bridge. My mother had my sist to her back and said she was going the r unde ed get food for us. I stay r othe and bridge with my grandmother to siblings. When my mother came back and bring food, the killers saw her t fron in etes butchered her with mach . ived of us. My little sister surv A kitchen garden demonstration in Gasamagera Charles in the Ngoma District, Rwanda in 2014. The group is now expanding and their revenue continues to grow. They have developed a rotational microcredit system for their members, which allows them to finance other commercial initiatives, such as selling fish. Most importantly, the activity strengthened the confidence and dignity of the beneficiaries, who can play a role in society again and provide an income for their families. In Kamituga (DRC), victims who were referred to Bukavu for medical treatment at the local hospital noticed that mushrooms were sold there all year round, regardless of the season. This was not the case in Kamituga where they lived. To replicate this approach Rwandan project partner ARAMA supported REMAK by running a training for their centre staff on how to grow the mushrooms in different conditions. As a result, a successful mushroom plantation was set up in Kamituga, run by 15 beneficiaries. The revenue from the plantation not only provides the beneficiaries with a stable income, but also funds a solidarity fund managed by the group. Secondary victims are also involved in livelihood activities. For example, with agricultural activities, if the primary victim is unable to work due to an injury, other members of their family can participate in the various physical activities required on their behalf. Even in cases where group members are able to work, but need additional help, they can involve their families rather than paying for labour. Entire families both participate and share the benefits. independence and self-sustainability, but also created a therapeutic framework, in which victims can work together in trust and mutual assistance. The therapeutic element of the income generation activity groups proved to be especially effective when combined with community-based social counselling. All partners and associate organisations initiated income generating activities, reaching out to approximately 3,000 direct beneficiaries and more than 10,000 indirect beneficiaries. The Great Lakes Project helped victims to regain a place in their communities, to construct new identities, shed the trauma of their past as victims and no longer be defined by it. They are now successful farmers (or at least aspiring successful farmers), proud and committed parents and community or household leaders. “During the night we searched for it grass and covered my mother with ch chur the to went We to say goodbye. ers, memb and found other family including my father. “When we were travelling through . Musambira the killers came back to ted star and They took my father and too en beat him. Others were beat yone then they started killing ever with machetes. There was blood everywhere. The biggest problem, found even now, is that I have never the corpse of my father. My four my brothers and sisters, my aunt and . grandmother survived went “When the genocide was over, we was ng ythi back to the village. Ever took destroyed. There was someone who e. pity on us and took us in his hous ng ythi ever but ol I went back to scho my when was so difficult. I was 12 grandmother died and as I was the the oldest of my siblings, I became d. head of the househol Ni “In 2010, I got to know Uyisenga who Imanzi through other orphans d were in an association. I travelle to Kigali and asked the Director an of Uyisenga Ni Imanzi to create association for us. ilies “In my village there were 15 fam the e wer en ldr like mine, where chi er head of household. We got togeth t. and started a bee-keeping projec Imanzi In 2012 and 2013, Uyisenga Ni ncs Fra n nda Rwa gave us two million and ng and trained us in bee-keepi h our how to use sewing machines. Wit d profits, we bought a piece of lan s ter sis and rs with trees. My brothe had we could all go to school, and enough food every day. in “Uyisenga Ni Imanzi divided us , ups gro n sio cus little groups: dis er oth in us ed cooperatives and involv nzi Ima projects. Before Uyisenga Ni my came, I had so many problems in ng lli nse cou ial soc head. During the I d, ghe sessions I cried, I lau to danced… I cannot find the words for say what Uyisenga Ni Imanzi did me. I thank God. and “One brother is at university tle lit My is studying journalism. k of sister who survived on the bac my mother got married recently. I Before Uyisenga Ni Imanzi came and g hin was disgusted with everyt on. didn’t think that life could go now I thought that I was dead. But Now in. aga e lif our there is hope in ’t don s ter that my brothers and sis t depend on me anymore, I hope tha get I can start my own studies and er I tev wha t tha w married. But I kno ga Ni sen Uyi do, I can always come to and n, Imanzi, that their door is ope dy they will be here and always rea me. p to listen and hel thern J.I., 26 years old, Kamonyi, Sou Province, Rwanda These groups not only provided (and continue to provide) revenue for the beneficiaries, promoting 18 IRCT Great Lakes Project IRCT Great Lakes Project 19