The atrocities of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi claimed lives of more than one million people. Scars of these painful events still linger and haunt the lives of survivors as well as the rest of the country.

Nonetheless, the past decades have shown the relentlessness of Rwandans to rebuild the country, and progress has been made.

Weekender’s Donah Mbabazi had a chat with a cross-section of people, to share their thoughts on the country’s healing journey, the remarkable achievements and the efforts needed going forward in regards to restoring humanity. 

Armand Kwitonda, Property valuer and owner of Green Realtors

I believe people should be working together in harmony, both young and old. The young need to be aware of what happened in the country. This should be done through educational events, storytelling and other things that can help them come together. Where Rwanda is now, is because of the good values that have been instilled in us by our government. I also believe that people who have been hurt should be approached and feel included in society; they should not be left alone. More awareness should be done so that what happened never happens again. We should have a unified society in which everyone feels like they belong.

Theoneste Niyomugabo, Entrepreneur 

Rwandans have come so far and I think we are in the right path but the healing journey is not yet over. Everyone’s effort is needed to further strengthen the healing and development process by adopting the culture of active listening, supporting and lifting each other. Also, mental health support should be available and easily accessible to help those in need. Together, we can all heal and develop our motherland Rwanda. Remember-Unite-Renew.

Gadi Habumugisha, Photographer

In my opinion, the healing journey started when Rwandans listened to society. I believe that survivors being listened to has played a huge role to the healing process. The gatherings of people where survivors gave testimonies of what horrors they went through is relieving. The government has worked so hard to put in place platforms where people can be listened to. Even Genocide perpetrators were given this platform to share how they committed crimes, reveal where they buried bodies and a chance to apologise. 

In brief, by Rwandan society being good listeners, lending their listening ears to survivors will pave a healing journey further ahead.

Machrine Uwayezu, Author and motivational speaker

Firstly, I want to thank President Paul Kagame and RPF Inkotanyi for fighting for our peace. We really appreciate and will always honour their sacrifices as Rwandans. 

Rwanda’s healing process is at a good level I can say, but not the best because we’re still fighting ideologies, some people aren’t giving information about lost bodies yet, some still hold grudges and refuse to forgive, the other ones still classify people in clans, they don’t see them as Rwandans but as Tutsi, Hutu and Twa. Some parents don’t talk to their children about what happened and tell them to listen to the radios.

So, what I think should be done to strengthen the healing and development process is to put much effort in youth, teaching them to stand for their country, to fight genocide ideology and denial because as we all know youth are the Rwanda rw’ejo (future of Rwanda). Secondly, is to help people understand well the importance of providing information about the lost bodies because nothing hurts more than failing to bury your loved one in respect. The other thing is that, we shouldn’t tell people how to feel. Let them mourn the loss of their loved ones, let them cry out loud, let them scream, let them feel their losses. People are different and grieve differently. Instead of telling a person how to feel, let’s support them through. Someone once told me "People say time heals everything, but I disagree, I think time gives us the adaption capabilities, it gives us the chance to accept what happened and learn to live with it.”

Because of the Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, some of us were robbed of a happy childhood because of what our parents went through, some of us didn’t get a chance of meeting our grandparents, aunties, uncles and even our siblings. I think nobody wants his or her children to experience what we went through.

Let’s all work together to build the country we all want for our children and fight those who still have ideologies and those who still deny the Genocide against Tutsi.