An Oxford charity worker, named one of Britain's women of the year for her work with survivors of the Rwandan genocide, was invited to breakfast at the UK's most famous address - 10 Downing Street.

Liliane Umubyeyi, 29, lost her entire family in the genocide, and was raped and imprisoned by militia fighters before escaping and being rescued. She moved to Oxford in 2000 and now lives in Shepherds Hill, Greater Leys.

She was last week named Ultimate Campaigner of the Year at the Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards.

Among those touched by her story was the Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown, who invited her, and some of the other award-winners, to breakfast.

Miss Umubyeyi was given the award for her work as co-chairman of Survivors Fund, the only international charity dedicated to helping survivors of the ethnic cleansing of 800,000 Tutsis and Hutus.

She was joined at the Brown household last week by her partner Alex Onos.

Miss Umubyeyi said: "It was wonderful. I felt quite privileged to go to Number 10 and meet the Prime Minister's wife.

"We spoke for about five minutes, and she was interested to know how I got the award and about the work I do.

"She was very supportive and interested in our organ- isation.

"Hopefully this will get more people talking. We are still dealing with so many issues of oppression and trauma, and reading my story could be helpful to all survivors of genocide."

She added: "I didn't plan to be in this situation - or even dream of it. It's all an amazing surprise. But it does push me to work harder.

"My friends are proud, but more shocked than anything."

It was the second time Miss Umubyeyi had visited the Prime Minister's residence. Two years ago she was invited by Cherie Blair.

And had she noticed any differences at the house under its new occupants?

"Not really," she said, "It looked beautiful - but it needs a bit of decorating!"