Dear Editor,

I have written this letter specifically to His Excellency, President Paul Kagame. It is with a deep and sincere heart that I want to express my gratitude to you for your fierce fight against corruption that has plagued most of Africa, but even more so, for standing up against the European imperialism and neocolonialism that many African leaders have subscribed to for so long.

In so doing, they have destroyed their countries and their people, to the point that very few can dare to stand up for what is right.

You are an inspiration not only for the people of Rwanda, but also for many Africans who still have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Each morning, I get up and pray among other things that a new leadership can emerge throughout the continent of Africa, a leadership that will stand up and lead for the sake of the people, a leadership that at any cost, will defend the dignity and humanity of its people and lift up the spirit that has been crashed to its core.

Sadly, that leadership has been hard to find, until you came by. I hope, wholeheartedly that many more will emerge, following your footsteps.

So many anarchists called themselves leaders; they have come and gone after they have caused all kind of discord and destroyed the very fabric of their own society.

But no matter how much the spirit of the African children has been crashed, no matter how much darkness has surrounded them, the light is still deep inside them; a light that can be nurtured, guided and encouraged so that a new kind of leadership can emerge.

So, thank you for being the role model, a hero that a new African generation can look up to and aspire to lead with integrity, confidence and self-reliance.

So many lies will be said to discredit your country because you dared to stand up against manipulative forces that are afraid of leaders like you.

They will do everything in their reach to halt Africans who are trying to lead their people to self-determination and freeing them in the truest sense.

But do not worry. There is something that is stronger, greater and deeper than the European mighty power that will never be taken away from Rwanda.

The power of reconciliation that is taking place in your country, something that can only be dreamed of by so many in the world.

The spirit such as of this woman I saw on CNN serving food to a man who has killed her husband and five of her children, and of many others like her, will hold Rwanda and keep it going stronger than ever. No one can expect to harvest sweet oranges when bitter grapefruit seeds have been planted.

Rwanda has been planting sweeter and stronger seeds under your leadership and the harvest season will last very, very long, for generations to come; whether some in Europe and others like it or not. So thank you again for your inspirational leadership.

Keep up the good work. I pray for you and wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009 to you, your family and to all the people of Rwanda.

Sincerely,
JUSTINE CHERUTICH
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA