Rwanda Survivors Foundation is a Canadian human rights education charity that focuses specifically on genocide education. We are co-founded by Emery Rutagonya, a Rwandan Genocide survivor and his wife, Alison Kathleen Burkett.
Our partnership reflects our connection to the Rwandan survivor community and Canada’s important commitment to diversity and human rights.
Co-Founders
Emery Rutagonya, MBA
Emery Rutagonya is a Rwandan Genocide survivor. Born in Rwanda, he was 18 when the Genocide targeting Tutsi people struck Rwanda in the spring of 1994, claiming many lives, including those of his family members. Emery survived the Genocide on June 17, 1994, through a raid carried out by Tutsi rebels on the church of Saint Paul to rescue hundreds of Tutsi people who had fled, looking for sanctuary.
In 2007, Emery went to work for Aegis Trust at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. Located in Kigali, the centre features a museum of the Genocide, a research and documentation centre, and a burial place for thousands of Genocide victims.
Emery immigrated to Canada in 2012 and is a proud Canadian citizen. Emery has shared his story of hope with over 5000 students across Rwanda, Canada and the USA.
Alison Kathleen Burkett, M.Ed.
Alison Burkett holds a Master of Education from the University of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Queen’s University.
Alison has worked in Canada’s charitable sector for the past twelve years managing a number of publicly funded projects.