The First Lady attends National Prayer Breakfast in Washington

The First Lady, Mrs Jeannette Kagame, yesterday attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C.

Thursday, February 04, 2016
Mrs Kagame speaks at the Florida Reception on the eve of the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. (Courtesy)

The First Lady, Mrs Jeannette Kagame, yesterday attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington D.C.The annual event is hosted by members of the United States Congress, and organized by the Christian organisation, the Fellowship Foundation.The First Lady, who spoke at the Florida Reception, hosted by Senator Bill Nelson and his wife, Grace, on the eve of the National Prayer Breakfast, shared Rwanda's experience in regards to the reconciliation process that followed the Genocide Against the Tutsi in 1994.

First Lady with Grace Nelson, listen to Senator Bill Nelson read the prayer on the plaque given as a gift for President Paul Kagame. (Courtesy)

In her address, Mrs Kagame emphasized that the journey of Rwandans towards a dignified future 'required strength and clear-sightedness of a good leadership, the willingness of a people to trust in this leadership, and most importantly, God's grace, without which nothing could be possible'."Armed with a strong sense of the higher purpose we had to fulfill, Rwanda set about its remarkable journey starting off by making three clear choices: Staying together; being accountable; and thinking big," Mrs Kagame said.The First Lady urged the invitees to 'carry the burden of each other’s wellbeing for the greater good of our respective societies and the generation to come.'She added; "Our task as citizens -- whether we are leaders in government or business or spreading the word -- is to seek out the truth that exists in an opposing view and to find the common ground that allows for us as a nation, as a people, to take real and meaningful action- to embrace our Agaciro."Concluding her remarks, the First Lady expressed her gratitude for being with individuals who are 'joined together in common purpose, believing in something that is bigger than ourselves, and the ideals that lie at the heart of our nation’s founding -- that as a people we are bound together'. President Barack Obama, who has attended the National Prayer Breakfast, every year since he was elected, spoke about the power of faith as the 'great cure for fear'.

"Fear can feed our most selfish impulses and erode the bonds of humanity," Obama said. He went on to praise faith-based organisations for their work in a variety of issues, ranging from combating trafficking to welcoming refugees. On January 9, 2016, the First Lady attended the Young Leaders Conference in Rwanda, organized as a prelude to the annual Rwandan National Prayer Breakfast that is hosted by the Rwanda Leaders Fellowship.