BDO East Africa (Rwanda) staff members paid tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District on Tuesday, June 18.

During the solemn event, they paid their respects to the over 97,000 victims of the Genocide laid to rest at the Nyanza Genocide Memorial, and management and staff members were guided around, where they were enlightened on what happened in Rwanda, why the memorial was built, and how understanding the country’s past helps shape its future.

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In his address, Emmanuel Habineza, Managing Partner of BDO East Africa Rwanda Ltd, reminded staff and management that remembrance should be a reflection on what happened, as well as a constant reminder to combat genocide ideology in all forms to ensure that what happened never happens again.

"This is our country, and now that we know where it came from, where it is today, and where it is headed in the years ahead, we must line it with our day-to-day lives and make sure we are contributing to its progress,” he stated.

Habineza also reminded the young people in attendance that they must work together to create a country that their children and grandchildren will be pleased to inherit.

Rosette Niwewarwego, Audit Manager at BDO East Africa Rwanda, said the event was educational and overwhelming.

"The memorial garden and messages from leaders demonstrate a commitment to a better future for Rwanda. My message to fellow young people is to reconcile with nations and avoid causing conflict at any level,” Niwewarwego reiterated.

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According to Clément Kabano Niyitegeka, Partner at BDO EA Rwanda, 70 per cent of their staff were born after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He emphasised how important it is for them to learn about the history of the country, know what happened before they were born, and observe what their country has been able to achieve after the Genocide, which will give them the strength to sustain what has been achieved.

Heshima Olexa, a BDO East Africa Rwanda LTD staff member who was born after the Genocide, understands how vital it is to remember and learn from history to avoid repeating it.

"As we commemorate today, it was an excellent opportunity to learn about the past. As we remember our loved ones, we also learn about what happened and Rwanda’s history, and we build on that to make things better so that what happened never happens again,” Heshima added.