My name is Beatrice, and I am one of the few family members who survived the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Most of my family members, including my parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles, were killed—over 30 people in total.
As the oldest surviving family member, I had to take on the responsibilities of a parent for my siblings at a very young age. It was extremely challenging because we lived in an orphanage. I never stopped searching for any remaining family members, and eventually, we discovered that my maternal grandmother was still alive. We were taken to live with her, but life was difficult as she mistreated us. After some time, we returned to our parents’ home, where I continued to care for my siblings until they grew up.
In a twist of fate, the people who killed my family members ended up in my sociotherapy group. When I first attended a sociotherapy session, I was filled with anger towards all Hutus. However, I soon encountered people who were understanding and shared similar experiences. Through numerous sessions, we talked and expressed our feelings. In the end, I found the strength to forgive them, including those who killed my family members. Forgiving them lifted a heavy burden from my heart.
Mvura Nkuvure helped me realize that we are all part of one extended family and that unresolved conflicts only harm us. I learned that being Hutu does not define someone as a bad person or a killer; it is the heart that matters. I heard stories of Hutus who risked their lives to protect Tutsis. This helped me find comfort and ultimately forgive and move on.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who conceived the Mvura Nkuvure idea because it brought us together and allowed us to heal.