Know what you read and who is talking

Ever since tragedy hit this country in 1994 there has been wide speculation as to whether it is safe to return home again. Media houses all over the world have made reports about the country but the question here is what is accurate and what is not? At the moment, I do not know of a country more peaceful than Rwanda. The serenity of it all and the benevolence of the people is simply overwhelming. But is that what our brothers and sisters who fled the country years ago think as well? With only the media to guide them on what is going in the country, some of them still feel it is not safe to come back home. This comes as no shock because to this day, some foreigners still think Africa is just one big tree with people swinging on it! And who can blame them; for some people believe everything they read. All you need is one false report and there you have it. Based on what they’ve read or heard, they think that the country’s history is too strong for it to be even remotely possible that people are now living together peacefully. There was word spread in refugee camps that if they dared to return, they would be killed. Most of them found it safer to stay out even though, in their host countries, they sometimes work as slaves and have been deprived of dignity, being treated with little or no respect. While there are perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who are evading the justice, there are many others, including survivors, who are afraid to return home because of falsehoods being peddled by detractors. More than necessary false stories have circulated and this has been one of the main reasons some Rwandan citizens are afraid of coming back home. Some stories have claimed the country is still emotionally and socially unstable not to mention politically too. This leaves one wondering whether the bearers of false tidings are confusing this country for another. To be completely honest, what this country has accomplished is not only miraculous but outright admirable. It has accomplished so much in such little time partly because the overall affect of sincere intentions, good leadership, and positive actions and efforts of the people is greater than anything. Information on Rwanda’s political and social stability has raised questions at the slightest mention of the country. People do not seem to understand how misguiding the internet can be and the length some people will go to just to trash another even if it means giving false information. Thousands of Rwandans are still out there, literally afraid to come home because of the false reports that have deemed a perfectly stable society, unstable. We haven’t heard so much as a mouse squeak since light shined back on this small nation to put it mildly. It is saddening to think that our brothers and sisters who fled years ago are in the world somewhere wishing they could come back home but yet think it a risk . I’m deeply aware that everyone is entitled to their opinion, if only these opinions were true. Given the country’s history which is characterized as tragedy unheard, there was need to evaluate truth and reconciliation efforts, and the results are commendable. Today, Rwandans are proud to be what they are. Only we can show whoever cares to visit what I can only refer to as a once collapsed society that what happened years ago has never and will never happen again. It is an example to others just what unity, forgiveness and sincerity can do. rachelgaruka@yahoo.co.uk