There has never been a better time to be Rwandan, but there will be

There is something unique about being a Rwandan in Rwanda today. For instance, to be able to see the remarkable transformation of Amahoro National Stadium, the same place where Tutsi were killed and few others barely survived the Genocide against the Tutsi. ALSO READ: 2023: When Rwanda took bold steps in fight against climate change And if we look back, the whole country has undergone the same transformation. It is fascinating to hear people speak of clean roads when they talk about Rwanda, without thinking that three decades ago, the few that existed were full of dead bodies while others did not simply exist. Thirty years is a good time to reflect on where we have come from. It is a great measure to know what is possible, what we can achieve as a people, because it is so much more. If we started from nothing, and we have peace, rule of law, unity, and other traits, Rwanda will certainly be better. Think about it. The excitement about the year 2024 is already in the air, and this is not the usual “bonane” celebration. It is the year which reflects our choices as Rwandans, the ones we made and keep making, to prioritize our country’s peace and development. ALSO READ: Year in review: five key changes in the education sector in 2023 Who would have thought? Who would have looked at Rwanda 30 years ago, and imagined it would be the exemplary country in gender equality, human rights, peaceful election, pandemic mitigation, tourism, and more? Life expectancy in Rwanda was 51 years in 2002, and now 69 years. In 2050, it is expected to be 73. Maternal deaths will drop from 203 per 100,000 live births to less than 20 deaths. Unemployment rate will drop from 15 percent to 5 percent. There is so much to look forward to. Has there been any better time to dream, to hope, and to be Rwandan? There isn't. But will there be? Definitely. Because if we made Rwanda so much better in 30 years, how will 40 years be? How will 50 years be, if not better?

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There has never been a better time to be Rwandan, but there will be