History

Msaada was established in 2005 in the Blackmore Vale area of North Dorset/South Wiltshire, to help Rwandans in the east of the country rebuild their lives following the catastrophic 1994 genocide, through self-sustainable development projects and education.

The group was founded with the support of Fergal Keane of the BBC who reported on the atrocities in Rwanda in 1994 which left about one million dead and millions of lives in ruins.

Msaada is working with AVEGA East (the Association des Veuves du Genocide Agahozo) a self-help widows’ and orphans’ group who are seeking to assist over 4,000 widows and over 14,000 orphans in the Kibungo area of Rwanda left destitute after the horrors of the ethnic cleansing; Excel Primary School in Rwamagana, which promotes the education and integration of students regardless of ethnic background; SURF (the Survivors’ Fund); Rwamagana Secondary School, and the Subiruseke Vocational Training Association.

Msaada seeks to establish self-sustaining projects to encourage prosperity, development and growth. Msaada provides support on the basis of the need, and capacity, of the local people. Support is not based on ethnic, religious or political considerations.