By Seif Gracien Hasingizwimana/Rwanda/Kigali
The organization One Acre Fund has reaffirmed that the responsibility to remember must be accompanied by tangible actions that build unity, as its leaders and staff from various countries joined Rwandans to pay tribute to more than 250,000 victims laid to rest at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi.
This ceremony, marking the 32nd Commemoration, brought together One Acre Fund staff from the East African region, memorial officials, and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, providing a moment to reflect on history and support survivors.
Global CEO Eric Pohlman, alongside staff from across East Africa, gathered at the Kigali Genocide Memorial (KGM) to honor the over 250,000 victims resting there following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
This act demonstrated the organization’s commitment to standing with Rwanda in the journey of remembrance and upholding the promise of “Never Again.”
The Country Director of One Acre Fund Rwanda, Belinda Bwiza, emphasized that remembrance should not be limited to ceremonies alone but must be a permanent responsibility in daily life. She reminded attendees that collaboration and reconciliation are the foundation for building a peaceful nation.
“Remembering keeps our collective responsibility alive,” Belinda Bwiza stated. “The promise of ‘Never Again’ must be renewed through the way we think, the way we work, and how we show up in our communities every day.”
She added that at a time when division and harmful ideologies persist in the region, unity is not an option but an absolute principle. “Within this organization, unity is not a choice—it is essential. It is how we protect what we have built and prevent forces that seek to take us backward,” she said.
Gasasira Jean Maurice, a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi who lost his parents and siblings at the age of 16, thanked the organization for the spirit of community and solidarity shown to them.
Gasasira remarked that it is valuable to see such a broad community join them during the period of remembering their lost loved ones. “It is encouraging to see such a large family join us as we remember those we lost. For survivors, having people to talk to and share our history with provides comfort. Thank you very much,” he said.
One Acre Fund, widely known for supporting smallholder farmers, highlights that working with the people is part of the mission to build a new Rwanda by giving them dignity. Belinda Bwiza emphasized that every farmer they work with is part of Rwanda’s history of resilience and recovery.
The event was attended by staff from various countries, including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, the United States, and the United Kingdom. This illustrates that the message of remembrance and the fight against Genocide is a borderless responsibility, reinforcing One Acre Fund’s role as an organization contributing to development and social healing in the countries where it operates.
