Day 4

Today was our fourth day in Kigali! It continues to be a surreal and exciting experience. The Rwandan people are so friendly and every interaction is very positive. Even when you don’t necessarily need it, someone will appear very willing to help you navigate the city and give directions. We’re thoroughly convinced that Rwanda is the most welcoming country in the word.

This morning, we had a lecture from a Rwandan teacher on identity politics and political development leading up to the genocide. This in-depth look at Rwanda pre-genocide allows us to better understand the events and the lasting effects of colonialism on the society. 

Today, we also faced the heaviest content of the course thus far by visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This is the main memorial of the genocide and the burial place of over 250,000 people who died as a result. Pictures were not allowed inside the memorial, but the content is not something any of us will soon forget. Hearing about the genocide and reading the statistics are disturbing certainly, but seeing the bones, the pictures, and hearing the testimonies of survivors adds a profound realness.

The memorial was heartbreaking. No one could walk through and deny the impact this genocide has left on, not only Rwanda, but the entire world. Through the horror, the memorial had a resonating theme of resilience. The focus of reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity is apparent and inspiring. 

               This picture is of the outside of the Kigali Genocide Memorial. This poster, which commemorates the 25^th anniversary of the genocide, is displayed all over Kigali. It says  "Remember, Unite, Renew".