Testimonies

For the last week, I have had the honour and privelege to hear testimonies from both survivors and rescuers of the 1994 genocide. Each person who we've spent time with at memorial sites or their village have taught me more about courage, fear, forgiveness and resilience than I could ever read in a book. 

At first, I felt a bit uncomfortable writing posts about what I had seen at the memorial sites across the country because of the details and emotional associated with each testimony I heard. In reality, each person thanked our group for listening to their testimony, coming to Rwanda to learn the true story about the genocide and hoped that now we would share their stories and the real story of the genocide with others. I thought it was the most powerful thing to hear because they know how imperative to keep that flame burning so that we never forget what happened in Rwanda. 

This place is etching a spot in my mind and heart. For a place that saw so much darkness at one point, is now full of life and willingness to look forward to a bright future as one strong, united nation. 

The more I reflect on these testimonies and walk paths and roads once flooded with such chaos, the more questions I have about it all. I know I will come back to this place to try to understand more and put the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together. Additionally, this place allures you with it's breathtaking landscaping, hospitable people and overall resilient and united population.  

Umuganda

Every last Saturday of the month, Rwandans come out into the community and participate in an event called Umuganda. Picking up trash, fixing up roads and cleaning up the streets are all part of this community service project set out by the government. 

I heard about this program as I sat with students from the National University in Butare. Bernard, an undergrad student studying electronics and telecommunication told me it was one of his favourite events in Rwanda. Everyone has a chance to mingle with neighbours and others living in the city or village. It creates a sense of community and unity. Bernard said this government initiative was a great example of good governance, which is a component the current administration is striving for. Each district has facilitators that help organize and decide what should be the main tasks of the community clean up. And everyone helps out as much as they can. 

On our to Gisenyi, north west of the country, we saw influxes of people in each village participating in this activity. I thought it was a brilliant idea to help create bonds of trust and unity as well as clean up villages and cities. 

I think the greatest fact I heard about Umuganda, is that even President Kagame takes part in this event!  

The Camel

On our 15 passenger bus once again, the ROR team is off to our next stop in Kibuye. We have travelled from the east of the country, down to the south and now we are slowly making our way to the north.

Our driver Eric only speaks neither English or French yet has the best sense of humour I have ever seen. He is so kind and patient to be driving us to our destination. Our group is full of energy and madness but I wouldn't change it for the world. 

In just 6 days, we have developed what I believe to be the beginning of great friendships. We are sharing the good, the hard and the amazing times. 

Our bus, also known as the Camel because of its branding logo, will surely be the source of good memories as we continue to travel across Rwanda.

Hope For The Future

These past few days have been difficult. We have visited various sites from the genocide, talked with survivors and rescuers and de-briefed about our observations and experience thus far in the programme. It has been tasking everything in. Although it is difficult to hear and see the chaos and the terror this country has endured, the people who we've met have showed me courage and resilience. Their testimonies are being heard and entrenched with me as I make my way through the country.

Today we met with students from the National University in Butare, Rwanda. They took us through a tour our their campus and we touched light subjects about education within the country an the development within this sector. 

We then moved to cafe to further discuss  topics of interest about the country. The students talked about what they envisioned for Rwanda and its future. What was truly remarkable was their willingness as the youth of the nation, to work as a collective community under good governance to rebuild and empower the Rwandan population. 

We talked about successes that the current government are continuing to build on such as education, health care and self-reliance programmes and initiatives. Additionally, the de-centralization of government has allowed for everyone in society to feel as though they are contributing and participating as active and productive citizens. 

These students are the future of this nation. They have so much faith in their government and it's ability to make the country strong in every aspect. They believe in the future of Rwanda and its positive contribution on the international community. 

Nyarabuye

Today the team travelled Nyarabuye, Rwanda. This remote village is found in the east of the country, neighbouring Tanzania. We visited one of the memorial sites in the village. 

I don't think there is anything comparable to visiting a location such as this one. Mixed feelings were shared among many in the group. Confusion, sadness, anger and anguish were only a few emotions many went through as survivors shared the stories of the site.

After walking through the site with a survivor from the Nyarabuya, we had a visit from Ferdinand. He was also a survivor from the village. He shared his testimony with us and explained how he has been living since the genocide. 

The pain and suffering he has been through has etched a space in my mind. Although he lost everything in 1994 and lived through the difficult aftermath, Ferdinand has shown me resilience and perseverance  I could not even begin to understand. As we drive back to Kigali, I now question so much that I have learned in the past about this genocide. 

While I have learned so much in these past few days, I have so many more questions. For now, I will stare out to the lush thousand hills with houses cascading from the top to the bottom. There is no other site like it. 

Checklist

Hiking boots? Check! Passport and visas? Check! Sunscreen, bug spray and bug net? Check, check, check! All packed and ready to go. The day is finally here! I thought I would write something up really quick as I wait for my dad to come pick me up to drop me off to the Greyhound bus station destination Toronto.

A mix of emotions flutter within me as I think about the journey I am about to embark on. Excitement, anxiousness, curiousness and anticipation are only a few emotions I am living at this very moment. Months of preparation and hard work have led up to this. I am off to Rwanda for a 2-week program which focuses primarily on post-genocide reconciliation and institutions since 1994. The selected group consists of 10 students doing their masters or attending law school across Canada. Our backgrounds vary but we all have the same common interests in the themes to be explored. Afterwards, I will be off to Tanzania to meet my dear friend Marie-Jo, where we will be hiking Kilimanjaro and then heading to Zanzibar by the Indian Ocean.

Stay tuned for some posts. This is the beginning of an amazing journey.

And, There Is More To Come...

Here we go again! I took a break this past semester due to the work and school overload but I am back! And, I am excited to tell you all about my upcoming plans for the summer. Stay tuned, this is going to be one amazing adventure.

Jess Z.