Canal+ Rwanda, Canal Olympia and Canal Box staff (Vivendi group), visited Ntarama Genocide Memorial on Wednesday April 27 to pay tribute to innocent victims who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The activity by the companies was in line with Kwibuka 28.

According to Sophie Tchatchoua, managing director of CANAL+ Rwanda, the activity is important for the company since it reflects honouring Genocide victims as well as survivors who lost their friends, relatives and children.

"It is part of our duty and everybody who lives in Rwanda to understand what happened. We must make sure that we spread the word ‘never again’,” she said.

She noted that the team specifically visited Ntarama Genocide Memorial to understand more about the cruelty of Genocide since last year they were at Kigali Genocide Memorial.

Located in Ntarama Sector, Bugesera District, Ntarama Genocide Memorial is a testament of how merciless the killers were. The memorial was a catholic parish and in the backyard was a one-classroom block of what used to be a Sunday school.

Inside the building, there are stains of blood on the walls. According to survivors and several narrators, young kids who sought refuge from there, were swung and smashed onto the walls by Interahamwe militia.

Killers claimed that they did not want to waste their bullets. This form of killing was described by genocide survivors as the "most violent” during the 100 days of the Genocide.

Tchatchoua urged the team as well as the public not to nurture anger.

"We can be angry, but we do not have to nourish anger. Anger becomes hate which leads to Genocide. Have love and peace in your heart even if it could be difficult,” she said.

Aimée Umutoni, head of Canal Olympia in Rwanda, who is also a Genocide survivor said that visiting the memorial site is important to her and her workmates, adding that it’s the company’s responsibility to make sure that the staff is well educated, know what humans are capable of, and be equipped to face whatever the media is throwing in terms of Genocide denial.

Sophie Tchachoua, Managing Director of canal plus Rwanda writing a message of hope at Ntarama Genocide memorial site. / Courtesy

Aimée Umutoni, Head of Canal Olympia in Rwanda writing a message of hope at Ntarama Genocide memorial site. / Courtesy