President, Humura Association

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Pascal Kanyemera is a Rwandan-born genocide survivor and the current president of the Humura Association, a Canadian non-profit organization founded in 2001 by genocide survivors living in the Ottawa–Gatineau region.

 

The association’s mission is to keep the memory of the Tutsi genocide alive while advocating towards building a world free from such crimes through education, remembrance, and advocacy. 

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At just 15 years old during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Pascal endured unimaginable loss. He survived by hiding in a school surrounded by militias, witnessed the murder of many family members, and later reunited with his mother and sisters in a refugee camp under French protection.

 

Pascal’s survival, which he often attributes to his faith—formerly “making deals” with God to live—speaks to both his resilience and the profound role of spirituality in his healing journey.

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In 1998, Pascal emigrated to Canada, beginning a new chapter of rebuilding in Montreal, and eventually settling in the Ottawa area by 2015, where he became deeply involved in survivor communities. Through the Humura Association, he dedicates his life to preserving the memory of those lost and advocating for survivors’ well-being.

 

As he poignantly states:

 

“A genocide takes everything that is dear to you… I feel obligation to make sure the memory of those who were killed is never forgotten” 

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Pascal continues to support fellow survivors in coping with trauma, mental health challenges, and navigating life in Canada, while ensuring that the Tutsi genocide remains an indelible part of public memory.