Rwanda Rising
"Rwanda Rising" commemorates the 31st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Hear powerful stories of survival and resilience from women who survived rape as a weapon of genocide, and their children, second-generation survivors.
Trigger warning: This podcast contains sensitive content that may be triggering for some listeners.
Brought to you by Foundation Rwanda: foundationrwanda.org & Surivors Fund (https://survivors-fund.org.uk/)
Rwanda Rising
Rwanda Rising: Trailer
Thirty-one years after the horrific 1994 Rwandan Genocide Against the Tutsi, the wounds of widespread rape, which resulted in an estimated 20,000 children, continue to deeply affect survivors and their families. These courageous mothers face immense challenges, grappling with HIV, PTSD, depression, and anxiety, often exacerbated by stigma, economic hardship, and aging.
Rwanda Rising is a powerful new podcast series amplifying the voices of these survivors, including the women who endured rape as a weapon of genocide, and their second-generation children born of these atrocities. Through their intimate narratives, we illuminate the complex and enduring challenges they face as they navigate healing and rebuild their futures.
Discover the vital work of Foundation Rwanda and Survivors Fund as they empower these families, offering crucial mental health support, economic opportunities, and education to break cycles of trauma and poverty.
Subscribe to Rwanda Rising for new episodes filled with powerful stories of hope and resilience, a living testament to the strength of the human spirit. Rwanda's journey of healing is far from over, and countless more voices deserve to be heard.
Trigger Warning: Please be advised that this podcast contains sensitive content related to the Rwandan Genocide, including accounts of violence and sexual assault. Listener discretion is advised.
To survivors everywhere, you are not alone.
Resources:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network in the US): rainn.org
Solid Minds Counseling Rwanda: https://solidminds.rw/
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC): https://www.nsvrc.org/survivors
Foundation Rwanda: foundationrwanda.org *Out of respect for the privacy and safety of the Foundation Rwanda community, our site is not available in Rwanda.
Survivors Fund (SURF):https://survivors-fund.org.uk/
Avega Agahozo: https://avega-agahozo.org/
Special thanks to:
All those who shared their inspiring stories.
The amazing PR and podcast production team at Fallow, Field & Mason: Juliet Fallowfield, Franceska Knechtli, Sam Scougall Knight.
Leah Rose, Andrew Hida, Aidan Sullivan, Kevin Smokler, and Eric Bonabeau for their insightful critiques.
Production and Sound Engineering: Dan Lawrence, Jim Greer, and Hida Visuals.
Foundation Rwanda’s incredibly dedicated colleagues and partners at Survivors Fund: Samuel Munderere, Raban Havugimana, Emilienne Kambibi, Vincent Nyawuma, David Russell, Liliane Umuhoza, and Jeanette Kawera Kajette.
The Foundation Rwanda Team: Sara Solfanelli, Dan Kusnetz, Jonathan Torgovnik, and Mike Gordon.
The Glo Good Team: Dr. Jonathan B. Levine and Stacy Levine.
Our amazing translator: Carine Ingabire.
Rwanda Sound Engineer: Ernestine Mucyo.
Original music by Alyn Sano and artwork by Shyaka OB.
© Foundation Rwanda 2025.