When candles of Hope were lit

On Tuesday April 7, I was at Amahoro national stadium when thousands of Rwandans officially marked the 15th Genocide against the Tutsi memorial. By 7:00pm, the stadium was filled to capacity. Both young and old had come to commemorate those who were lost in a senseless and brutal manner. Before entering the stadium, to ensure total security, one had to undergo a police check-up. After going through the check-up process, I found my way to a strategic place were I could silently and clearly observe what was going on. Everyone at the stadium was silent, tranquil like the early morning stream waters. One could only hear interludes of soft music and the voice of the Master of Ceremony communicating to the congregation. Almost everyone wore a purple scarf around their necks or ribbons pinned on their tops. People hardly talked to each other. Some communicated by way of sign language or by whispering. This silence would intermittently be broken by a sudden ear shattering wail. A chill would go down my spine. Narrating her story, Devine Mukundwa, said she was staying with relatives in Uganda at the moment when the Genocide took place. “My father was killed in the Genocide,” she said before mentioning Ramberi, Nyakana, and Nemeyiryo among some of her other relatives who were killed during the Genocide. As Mukundwa’s testimony sunk into me, Alice Ishimwe told me her story. She was born on May 1, 1994 in this very stadium. That’s where her pregnant mother and many other Rwandans had taken refuge during the Genocide. “I am 15 years old and have never seen my dad. My mother passed away 4 years ago.” “After the death of my mother, I could not go on with studies. I was desperate and always lonely. I had no hope. Time passed by and I got the opportunity to go back to school.” “I am glad that I am in P.6 and full of hope for the future. When I grow up I wish to help orphans in order to give them hope in their future.” Beside me were two young white males, Ryan Musser and Mitch Edwards from USA. I asked them their views and feelings on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “Western people still have a pessimistic attitude towards Rwanda and her people. I am shocked how Rwanda is developing after the Genocide,” Ryan Musser said. “The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is a reality, there’s no need to doubt. I have seen trauma cases and visited memorial sites, it is horrible..! “When I go back home I will inform my people that Rwandans are in one spirit, determined and focused to rebuild their country despite the horror that befell the country in the 1994.” Edwards said that it took him a lot of courage to come and see what happened in Rwanda. “I used to hear about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi on news and in photographs.” “Rwanda as a country is a very good example where peace building has born fruits. I was proud to see young people as the campaigners of peace building here in Rwanda,” he saidMusser and Edwards are students from Houghton College. They are among the 20 students from different countries who came in Africa to learn about culture, development issues, and peace and reconciliation. They are in Rwanda to study about peace building and reconciliation. While addressing thousands of Rwandans and members of the international community in commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Genocide against Tutsis at Nyanza. President Paul Kagame said that remembering what happened should not stop Rwandans from marching to a bright future. That same night at the stadium, candles of hope were lit led by his Excellency. The lighting of the candles of hope was followed by a film called ‘The long coat’. Many were traumatised by some scenes which probably reminded them of that fateful period. The Red Cross and Police were at hand to cater for them. Ambulances were at hand to rush the serious cases to health centres where they could be helped further. Remembering shouldn’t be a set back, but a strong foundation on which we should build peace, hope, unity and reconciliation. We are all Rwandans, one family, that should aim at turning Rwanda into a PARADISE. Never Again. Ends