Rwandan youth international Dylan Maes says he would not be surprised by the progress that Rwanda has made 29 years after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which claimed over 1 Million lives given his impression of what the country was achieving the day he visited the country of one of his parents for the first time a decade ago.
Maes, 22, was born in the Belgian city of Ukkel to a Rwandan mother and a Belgian father.
At a tender age, he used to hear from his mother about the tragic story that shaped Rwanda during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
He was 11 years of age when the youngster traveled to visit the country of his mother back in 2012.
From a torn-apart country that he heard from his mother to the country he found he stepped his foot 18 years after Genocide, Maes could only tell the difference from various aspects.
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"I visited the country for the first time in 2012 and I was 11 years old at the time. During my visit, I was very surprised to see elegant and well-dressed people. I didn&039;t expect to see this," Maes told Times Sport.
"There was discipline, cleanliness and infrastructure everywhere. Even you could clearly see at that time that Rwanda was developing. I am very proud of how my country has gone from the dark moments of 1994 to where it is now," he added.
Maes’ mother left Rwanda in July 1994 just after the Genocide against the Tutsi was brought to an end. He knew about Rwanda even before he visited the country.
"My mother witnessed the Genocide. She was in Kigali up to July 1994 when she left for Belgium after the genocide had ended," he said.
Besides reading various books about Rwanda, he could know the country through some decorations in his parents’ house, food, tea and coffee among other items associated with Rwanda.
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As Rwanda observes the 29th commemoration of Genocide against the Tutsi, Maes sent a message of condolences to all the people who lost their loved ones during the genocide.
"My first message is to comfort all those who have been affected by this tragedy. I don&039;t know, it's not always easy to live with that,” he said.
"I would also like to encourage Rwandans, living either in the country or abroad, to continue to do everything to live in peace, for the good of the people," he added
Maes, who plays his club football for Oroklini in Cyprus, has been capped by Rwanda at U20 and U23 levels .