Rwandans living in the State of Tennessee; the state of Kentucky and those living in its suburbs in the United States of America joined in the commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsis in 1994.
It is an event that took place this Saturday , 10th June, in the city of Knoxville in the State of Tennessee, preceded by the “Walk to Remember”.
The march started at the University of Tennessee at 2 pm and was attended by Rwandans, children, adults, foreigners and students from the University of Tennessee who were accompanied by a representative of foreign students.
After the march, the participants of the ceremony met at a place planned in Tennessee, where a discussion was started, preceded by a prayer.
Mr. Kalisa Bahati, the President of Rwandans living in the state of Tennessee welcomed Rwandans and friends of Rwanda who came to join in paying homage to the innocent victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
In his speech, Kalisa Bahati talked a bit about the killings of the Genocide against the Tutsi and reminded every Rwandan that remembering is everyone’s responsibility. “Remembrance is about honouring the memory of those who perished and offering comfort to survivors; I would like to use this platform to call on those present here and the global community to reflect on the suffering, trauma and hardship the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi have endured and continue to face” he said.
“The sorrow, pain and despair are still fresh for the survivors. Remembering, without bitterness or the spirit of revenge, pity, or hopelessness,but with dignity, resilience and a determination to move on, is the only way to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”
Kalisa Bahati continued showing how afterward, the survivors and Rwandans in general are straightforward to looking of development in all corners as it is in combined in the theme for this year’s genocide commemoration which is: Remember, Unite, Renew! “After the Genocide against Tutsi in 1994, Rwanda as a country had all the ingredients of a failed state.
From almost a non-existent state in 1994, Rwanda has become a nation of hope, prosperity and equal opportunity for its people. Rwanda is today a stable country. The economy has grown at over 8% per year over the last decade.
The infrastructure has been rebuilt and further expanded across the country. Our people have gained the necessary capacity building in key sectors. There is universal access to education; health and basic social protection are available to each citizen.” He added.
In his conclusion, he said: “Let us give ourselves a homework consisting in denouncing the genocide perpetrators, genocide denial, racism, hatred, anti-Semitism, intolerance and any form of discrimination.
Acknowledging our wounds and helping each other heal is a prerequisite to the prosperity of Rwanda as a nation.” In this ceremony, a film was shown about the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi and then the light of hope was extinguished and then a minute of memory was taken.
In this ceremony, Ms. Nadia Ingabire testified about difficulties she went through during the Genocide and how she survived, Other speakers as well as Pastor Emmanuel who gave a message of comfort, they have encouraged people to live in peace.
The President of Rwandan community in the state of Kentucky ,Mr. Serge Rwakineza, who gave a talk on the severity of the genocide against the Tutsis reminded every Rwandan that Remembrance is the duty of every Rwandan and asked parents to teach their children the true history of Rwanda and to make them love their country and reminded the audience about the truth of genocide against the Tutsis.
He added that:”it is necessary to teach children about the history of the country which caused the tragedy that happened to our country so that it will not repeat again (Never again). The role of parents is to put efforts in teaching children what happened in the country and especially youth in diaspora when they go back into their motherland country they should visit the memorial site. Youth is a future of tomorrow in fighting against genocide.”
In this event , there were also the Youth who attended and have been represented by the head of international studies from university of Tennessee , Mme Shayla C. Nunnally, Ph.D. Who said that she was saddened by what happened to Rwanda in the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.
This has become a familiar event for Rwandans living in the State of Tennessee, as last year when it was commemorated for the 28th time, a similar event has been attended by over 150 people.