Trigger warnings: Genocide, murder, death, funerals, eugenics, grief, project may contain graphic images.
In the fertile land of Rwanda, Central Africa, the unthinkable happened. Racial tensions and anti-Tutsi hostilities lead to a genocide of roughly 800,000 people. Many years of racial politics lead up to this. However, it happened, it was horrible and unforgettable. A country the size of Maryland, USA, 800,000 deaths. Imagine if the US Civil War happened only in Maryland, in 100 days! That was the Rwandan genocide.
But there is hope! A land ravaged by genocide decide peace with each other was the path to the future. Peace and reconciliation with your neighbors and countrymen was the better option, the tough option indeed. Finding peace with your next-door neighbor was the way to go. The neighbor who’s husband killed part of your family during the genocide, was now living next to you again, once he got out of jail.
Reconciliation and acts of forgiveness are ingrained in the culture as a people. It took many difficult years. But the people of Rwanda persevere. They are willing to move forward and keep with peace with each other. Even on a national stage they are becoming a bright star within the countries surrounding them. Will Rwanda’s ambitious 2050 vision turn them into the “African Singapore” that they strive to be?
Take this journey with me to the “Land of a Thousand Hills” where we’ll learn, laugh and cry with one another. Learn from the past, see the hope and bright future. And see natures beauty amongst the backdrop of this lush African society. Peace is here to stay!