Youth demand for more information on Genocide

HUYE - There is need for local leaders and residents to disseminate more information on the Genocide, children in Ruhashya sector, Huye district mostly those who were born after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi say. Talking to The New Times, the children said that although they have heard stories about the Genocide as a horrifying time in the country’s history- where people were killed as a result of bad governance- they added that they have scanty knowledge about what really happened. Some of the teenagers say the information they get about Genocide is not sufficient. “We need more information on this tragedy as what we have been told is not sufficient enough,” said Damascene Twagiramungu, 17. However, other children who were interviewed said that they did not know anything about the Genocide. “I heard about Genocide, but I don’t know what it is about,” said Innocent Nkurikiyimana, who is now in Primary four. Nevertheless, parents said that they try to tell their children-especially those who were born after the Genocide about what happened. “When children hear mourning songs being aired on different radio stations and see us [parents] going to attend the commemoration, they keep asking what happened and why we are mourning. We try to explain to them in a way that cannot traumatize them, trying to focus on the lessons that someone can get from our country’s past,” said Jean Paul Iyamuremye, a resident of Ruhashya Sector. Ruhashya Sector leaders said they are trying to equip children with basic knowledge on the Genocide, without harming them. Ends