‘Walk to remember’, an annual event where Rwandan Youth match in remembrance and honour of those who died in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, is slated to be taken to five other countries in the East African region. In this move, the event which was started last year by the youth who gather in an association called Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP) will seek to spread the fight against genocide ideologies and divisionism to the rest of the region.
‘Walk to remember’, an annual event where Rwandan Youth match in remembrance and honour of those who died in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, is slated to be taken to five other countries in the East African region.
In this move, the event which was started last year by the youth who gather in an association called Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP) will seek to spread the fight against genocide ideologies and divisionism to the rest of the region.
In an interview shortly after one of the preparatory trainings, the PLP President Marc Gwamaka, said that taking ‘Walk to remember’ to the region, is aimed at intensifying action against genocide and divisionism.
"The philosophy behind walk to remember is to take forward action against genocide and promoting positive unity. This is exactly what we intend to achieve in Rwanda, in the region and the rest of the world,” he said.
"This is aimed at making Never Again a true Never Again. The more people we educate about the impact of genocide and the necessity to unite against it, the better.”
The five countries include Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda, and in these, over 38000 people are targeted.
The Walk to Remember East Africa is going to be conducted by PLP in partnership with Aegis students and As We Forgive, which are all devoted towards bringing about healing from genocide and promoting unity and reconciliation. In an interview with Angel Uwamahoro, the National Coordinator of Aegis Students, she said that this initiative is made up of one solid message of promoting love and unity.
"We shall educate people on the dangers of divisionism and hatred and the importance of unity and love,” she said.
”East Africa is faced with divisionism on grounds of tribes and other differences. These are the things that breed genocide.
This is going to be our contribution to breaking the chains of divisionism and hatred,” she further noted.
This year’s Walk to Remember will also take place in the United Kingdom and plans are underway to carry it out in India and the US.
The East African event will kick off on March 17 up to April 17.
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