Renowned American preacher Rick Warren on February 3 urged the Rwandan community abroad to commit to the development of their homeland from the countries where they live, through education, entrepreneurship, and the preservation of their culture.
Pastor Warren, who sent a recorded video message to the delegates at Rwanda Day in Washington DC, said Rwandans, especially the youth, need to espouse a fighting spirit to make sure the country attains development.
"In the past 30 years, Rwanda has been the greatest success story of any nation in the 21st century. No other nation has come so far so fast. I've been privileged to witness that transformation of a society coming out of the genocide,” said Warren, who was in Kigali in November 2023.
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The famed preacher who is a long-time friend of Rwanda urged Rwandan youth to unite and work together toward a brighter, more prosperous country for the generations to come.
"Rwanda is worth fighting for. You know, you're always going to have to fight for it,” Warren said.
"Because of Rwanda's size, history and the inequities that are in the world, you're always gonna have to have that fighting spirit – the spirit to fight for what is right, for justice, for freedom.”
"President Paul Kagame has modelled this spirit for 30 years. And I want you to catch his spirit, to realise that your nation is precious.”
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He said the Rwandan youth abroad have the power to contribute to the growth and the development of their country, even when they are not living in it - through education, entrepreneurship, investments, philanthropy, cultural preservation, and advocacy for their nation.
"You can support Rwanda and you can help shape its future,” he said.
"You can sponsor educational programmes from afar, you can contribute to health care and infrastructure development by leveraging your resources and networks.”
The 11th edition of Rwanda Day, and the first since 2019, attracted more than 6,000 participants from North America, Rwanda and beyond.
Thousands more followed the event on radio and TV as well as on online platforms.