June 4, 2019
The sky opened and let fall inyange that showered the earth. The morning rainfall gently tapped against our roofs as if it was saying good morning or watamutse. Slowly doors unlocked, coffee was shared, and the day began.
Learning about Genocide is a heavy topic and the darkness can be overwhelming when you let it cover all the good in this world. However, our group experienced so much love and compassion from the people we met and the amazing stories we heard.
The morning kicked off by learning about the theories of actors during the Genocide and discussing the roles of perpetrators, victims, bystanders, and rescuers; to talking with those who risked everything to follow their hearts. We were able to meet and talk with Samuel Gatete and Reagan Rurangirwa who both rescued Tutsis during the violence. Reagan rescued 200 Tutsis in his home and trained a small militia of Hutu to protect his family. He protected his 9 children (one Hutu baby that he has unofficially adopted) and cared for all those under his roof, adding to his family and fighting for survival.
Samuel and Reagan were taught to differentiate Hutu and Tutsi. To take their land, their cows, and everything they owned. If you were found hiding a Tutsi, you would die with them.
Being a rescuer was a suicidal decision during 1994, and the government would murder entire families for hiding Tutsi men, women, and children. Samuel said he was afraid, but he had to be strong. “Instead of dying as a coward, I would die a hero” and they did what no one was able to do.
Samuel has a heart for loving people and his faith helped him see past the hatred and think differently. Reagan's own hatred for the government and its false propaganda motivated him to take a stand and realize that the people were not Hutu or Tutsi, but human beings. He said, “If you want to be a nice person don’t follow the majority, follow your heart.”
No one believed that people would be able to brutally kill others, and no one thought the Genocide would happen. Both men had to accept the responsibility that we are all living together before all else. The divide between Rwandans began long before their time, yet they were able to ignore the ideology and put themselves in danger. Our discussion was hopeful and amazing- one cannot follow the government, the majority, and those with more power because of education and resources BUT one must listen to everyone. “We followed a small number,” and fought to keep humanity alive. In the future, the new leaders must remember what happened in Rwanda because it can happen anywhere. In Rwanda, we say “never again” but it is possible, and it is the stories of those who experienced the Genocide that will make the world a better place. Kwibuka is to remember, and today our group will never forget.
Our group also spent time at a widow's CO-OP and learned the power of forgiveness and truth. It was amazing how these women were able to see past the violence and pain, and work together to share the truth of Rwanda and the idea of a new country bound together and strong. This day we focused on the resilience of this amazing country.
BK
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