Management and staff of Salvo Grima Group and Salvo Grima Rwanda, on Thursday, May 9, gathered at the Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gisozi to honour victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Following a tour of the memorial site, the Salvo Grima delegation laid wreaths in honour of the over 250,000 Genocide victims interred at the memorial, and the over one million innocent lives claimed in the 100-day massacre.
The delegation was led by Chief Executive Officer of Salvo Grima Group Karl Aquilina, General Manager at Salvo Grima Group Keith Spiteri, and Salvo Grima Rwanda General Manager Donat Nsengayire.
During the visit, Aquilina praised Rwanda and its people for their capacity to rebuild their country with unity and reconciliation despite the devastation caused by the Genocide. He noted that it was an honour for Salvo Grima Group and its staff to form part of Rwanda’s journey towards stability and economic prosperity.
He articulated the profound significance of commemorating saying, "As foreigners integrated within the Rwandan community, we understand the importance of commemorating 30 years since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It serves as a reminder of the immense tragedy that transpired 30 years ago, while also honouring the resilience and remarkable progress achieved since 1994,” he said.
In his remarks, Spiteri expressed hope that humanity has learned from the tragic event and prays it never happens again.
This is a moment of renewal to see what the country has done since 1994 and as foreigners, we can be very proud that the country is an example of how a society can rise from terrible events and not only improve but be an example of how good things can come from the adversity of learning from past mistakes.
Additionally, he mentioned that Salvo Grima represents world-leading brands and premium products as well as value ranges and commodities, with a Maltese origin, and a business ethos that stretches back to 1860.
Salvo Grima extended its operations on the Rwandan market in 2020, where it now employs over 130 individuals and contributes to local business growth countrywide.