Editor,

As the national reconciliation week begins, I would like to recognize the efforts that Rwandans are partaking to restore unity and peace within the community. 

Through providing various forms of physical, emotional and financial support, Genocide survivours in the country, especially women and youth have overcome trauma and live positively in dignity after such a history of violence.

The realization, that people can actually forgive and live together in a community formerly broken, is amazing.

Despite the difficulties that come with facing past terrors, the Gacaca Courts, I believe have come a long way and done a commendable job towards achieving unity in this country.

This is just one practical representation that shows how Rwanda is dealing with the social injustices that so often befall the vulnerable in society.

When people choose to make a difference in Rwanda, it needs to be one that initiates and brings healing to the hurting people in the society.

More still, this cannot be done without a heart of compassion, peace and love for the survivours.

When Martin Luther King said, "Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation and the foundation of such a method is love,” he simply sums up the whole point of reconciliation in a few words.  

With all said and done, social injustice both committed in Rwanda’s dark past can be gotten over with as long society is willing to let love, forgiveness and restitution take its course to eliminate any sort of violence and social injustices. 

Anna A. Akariza
anna.akariza@gmail.com