When we commemorate, we remember who they were to us

We remember them as our parents

We remember them as our siblings

We remember them as our friends

We remember them as our family members

We remember them as good neighbours.

We remember how they were kind people

We remember how they were noble people

We remember how they were tender-hearted

We remember how they took good care of us.

We remember how we used to share our meals

We remember how we used to play football together

We remember how they lit our cooking fire when we needed them to

We remember how we were stockmen together

We remember how we used to fetch water together

We remember how we used to share all that we had ungrudgingly

We remember how we used to pray together.

We remember mingling with them

We remember laughing with them

We remember singing with them

We remember dancing with them.

When we commemorate, we also remember how they were killed

We remember how they were slaughtered

We remember how they were slain

We remember how they were burnt alive

We remember how they were hanged to death

We remember how they were thrown into rivers alive.

We remember how they were killed and thrown into pits

We remember how they were killed and thrown into latrines

We remember how they butchered them with machetes

We remember how they were killed with (wooden) spikes

We remember how their heads were smashed on walls

We remember how they were starved to death.

We remember how they were buried alive

We remember how they were shot dead

We remember how they were stoned to death

We remember how they were killed with clubs

We remember how they were killed after raping them.

We remember that killers killed them and drunk their blood

We remember that killers killed them and ate their flesh

We remember that killers killed them and ate their hearts

We remember that killers tortured them to death

We remember that killers scorned them before killing them.

When we commemorate, we reflect on their contribution to the country

We remember that they were hardworking farmers and had good harvests

We remember that they were teachers, educating Rwandans

We remember that they were medical professionals taking care of patients

We remember that they were business people contributing to Rwanda's development

We remember that they were veterinary doctors looking after our livestock

We remember that they were priests and pastors who led our way to God.

We remember that they were good politicians

We remember that they were good sports people whose goals we celebrated across the country

We remember that their songs soothed our hearts

We remember that they were soldiers and policemen who protected their country

We remember that they were good engineers and architects

We remember that they were impartial judges

We remember that they were unbiased journalists.

When we commemorate, we take heed of their values

Their incomparable generosity

Their exceptional integrity

Their consistent discipline

Their unwavering strength

Their committed love.

When we commemorate, we long for what they could have been

We long for who they could have been to us

We long for what they would be doing today

We long for what they would be to Rwanda

We long for the joy they would have, living in this Rwanda.

When we commemorate, we want you to reflect

Think about the child who was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, today, they would have turned 29 years old!

They would have completed their university studies.

Today;

They would be treating Rwandans.

They would be educating Rwandans

They would be impartial judges

They would be professional and unbiased journalists

They would be exemplary farmers

They would be skilled engineers

They would be so many things.

When we commemorate, we contemplate on the future

Of each man, each woman, each child,

Of their dreams, their destinies, their descendants

Of our 1,074,017 people who perished in the abyss of hate.

When we commemorate, we note that

The Genocide against the Tutsi killed many and destroyed a lot

The Genocide against the Tutsi broke our hearts

The Genocide against the Tutsi destroyed Rwanda’s social fabric

The Genocide against the Tutsi killed humanity

The Genocide against the Tutsi defied the whole world.

--

The writer is a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.