The majority of the Rwandan youth happened to be young or yet to be born when the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi took place. Being too young to comprehend the situation at the time, they have had to contend with horrific tales, pain inducing songs, shocking sights of skulls and a past that left them with dark memories. 

The yesteryears babies have come of age and are engaged in rebuilding the country. Society Magazine’s Patrick Buchana took to the streets and got views from them on the impact of the atrocities, the transformation and the future. 

Mariam Shyaka, Student at University of Rwanda 

I was two-years-old when the Genocide against the Tutsi happened. My family and I fled to Uganda. When we returned in 1997, Rwanda was in ruins and there were very few shops and markets operating at the time. Most items were scarce and expensive. 

We now live in a better country, we have an abundance of commodities, schools, universities and Rwanda is an advanced country compared to how it was back in 1997. The rapid positive change makes Rwanda a model country.

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Emanuel Mutangana, Programmer 

I was born in Uganda, but there is nothing as good as living in your own country. It is amazing how the current government has transformed a shuttered country into a very secure state. 

I have to say that, today, Rwanda is perhaps the most crime-free African country and Kigali is a very safe city. I can walk home at 3am when I’m sure that I will get there safely without being attacked by murderers or thieves.