Never Again

Upon returning to Kigali to wrap up our trip, we met and had dinner with a US Embassy representative. She had spent the past two years in Kigali, and had grown to love Rwanda. I too, found much to love.

The country appeared very clean. Rwanda has become a remarkably peaceful and safe place considering their past, and everyone in our group agreed that Rwandans take pride in their country.

Rwanda also has an extremely efficient and effective system for passing out medication to those living with HIV in AIDS. Even citizens who live in rural and remote areas receive medication on a routine basis.

56% of Rwanda’s parliament is made up of women – this is the highest percentage of women in parliament out of any country in the world!

Perhaps what most touched me was Umugada. The last Saturday of every month all shops and businesses close. From around 8 am to lunch time all members of every community participate in community projects – repairing schools, cleaning up the village,etc.

Despite the beauty of the country and its people, I couldn’t help but still feel the effects of the genocide during my visit. In Tanzania, I have been overwhelmed by the warmth and friendliness of its people. While everyone we met in Rwanda was very polite and kind, there was a radical difference in they way they treated our group. In Tanzania, every person we drove by would wave at us. Children ran up to our cars, shouting loud greetings. In Rwanda, the people kept to themselves.

Each time I saw a person over the age of 20, I couldn’t help but think of the painful memories they possess. We saw many people who were missing limbs – feet, arms, legs. How do they walk alongside people everyday who contributed to the genocide?

Justice has been a complicated process post-genocide. Many judges were murdered during the genocide or fled into exile. In 1997, there were only 50 lawyers in the country! War crime tribunals continue being held in both Arusha, Tanzania and the Hague for more serious war crimes (planners and organizers of the genocide, notorious murderers, those who committed sexual torture and violence, etc.)For less serious offenses, many communities also participate in GACACA. GACACA is a traditional model of dispute resolution indigenous to the area. In the past it was used to solve problems over land, marriage, cattle, or petty theft. The judges are elected by the community. If people admit to their crimes they are given a lighter sentence. Sentences vary from life (very rare) to as little as one year. After their time is served, they are able to return to their communities and live a regular life.

How do you ever learn to trust your neighbor again, when you saw them commit such atrocious crimes? How do you not live your life full of hate, when the very people who harmed your family and friends walk free? Many in the country suffer from depression, anxiety, and emotional/ mental problems as a result. Sadly, Rwanda does not have enough man-power or facilities to help people suffering with these problems.

My trip to Rwanda gave me an understanding for the word genocide that I never had before. While I had visited Germany, the events of the Holocaust seemed so far away, they didn’t hit me with as great a force as they did in Rwanda. To visit a mere 16 years after genocide occurred, and to see the raw emotion and life- changing effects first hand is an experience, while sad, that I am grateful for. The resiliency of the human spirit and the immense strength people have to show forgiveness and go on living their lives humbles me.

Every human has the right to live their lives free of fear and violence. Every person on this earth holds a responsibility to themselves and each other to make sure that happens. Rwanda has adopted the slogan “Never Again” regarding the genocide. The international community turned their back when Rwanda needed them most. It is my hope that with education and greater awareness, the rest of the world will commit to “Never Again” as well.