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I’m sure many of you have seen the movie Hotel Rwanda. And I’m sure for many of you that is your only exposure to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda of the Tutsis. It was for me too, until recently. The genocide, its memories and aftermath still have a strong presence in daily life in Rwanda. Spend even one day in Kigali and you are bound to hear the heartbreaking story of a survivor, see a prisoner (genocidaire) dressed in a pink, blue or orange outfit (the color signifies the severity of the crime committed), or meet a child orphan who runs his or her household and cares for his or her younger siblings – or possibly all.
What is so incredible is that while the genocide is still so prominent, the country has also moved on. The government has created the Vision 2020 plan (www.enterprise-development.org/download.aspx?id=548) with detailed objectives to reconstruct Rwanda’s economy and maintain good governance. And the improvements thus far are noticeable. The country and its people are doing their best to put the past behind them and work towards a better life in Rwanda.
But putting the past behind them doesn’t mean they want to forget. There are genocide memorials all over the country. There are many churches where massacres took place, and a visit today will entail viewing the many skulls, remains and weapons that still lay intact from 1994. Yes, it is somewhat gruesome. But it lies as proof that the genocide really did happen. That over 1,000,000 deaths occurred, mostly Tutsis or moderate Hutus. And that the colonial powers played a large role.
In Kigali is the Genocide Memorial Centre. This memorial is fantastic! Outside are beautiful gardens where one can reflect on Rwanda’s past. Next to the gardens are mass graves and names etched into a wall, where surviving family members and friends can pay respect to lost loved ones. Inside are interactive displays that tell the story of Rwanda’s history, the genocide and the aftermath. There is a section for the children who lost their lives in the genocide. And there is also a section with tributes to other past genocides in the world, most noticeably, the Holocaust.
I walked out of there feeling sad, but also feeling proud. Proud that Rwanda did such a wonderful job creating a fantastic memorial to remember those that lost their lives in the genocide, and to help prevent something like this happening again in the future.
Mass graves at the Kigali Memorial Centre
Reflection gardens
From Kampala I headed to Kigali, Rwanda to visit Julie. She was a Kiva Fellow with me in Tanzania and now doing a Kiva placement in Rwanda.
I immediately fell in love with Rwanda. It is my favorite country in East Africa, and I almost wished I had done my Rotary Scholarship here.
Some interesting tidbits about Rwanda:
1. They don’t allow plastic bags in the country. When you cross the border they go through your luggage and take all your plastic bags. A strong effort to keep the country clean.
2. To follow up on that, on the last Saturday of every month everyone is required to go outside and clean up their neighborhood.
3. It is safe to walk in Kigali at night.
4. It is a beautiful country of 1000 hills.
5. There are no international atms in Rwanda.
6. It is the most expensive country in East Africa.
7. Kigali, the capital, is a sophisticated city.
8. Motorcycle taxis have an extra helmet for the passenger.
9. A country plagued by genocide in 1994 has come back with a vengeance.
