Unity and reconciliation through the eyes of youth in a Rwandan village

In the village of Mbyo, located in Mayange Sector, Bugesera District, a story of healing and hope is unfolding. Young people born to both survivors and perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi live side by side, embodying the resilient country’s spirit of unity and reconciliation. Despite the painful legacy inherited from their parents, the youth are building a future rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and a common identity, as Rwandans. ALSO READ: How young Rwandans should fight Genocide denial Mbyo reconciliation village is home to 54 families who were brought together as part of a post-Genocide initiative aimed at fostering national unity. Through daily interactions, attending school, praying, working, and socializing together, young people in the village are learning, firsthand, what it means to forgive, to heal, and to rebuild trust where it was once broken. The initiative, led by the Prison Fellowship Rwanda organization, was established in 2003, in the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide which claimed over a million lives in 100 days. These villages were created to bring together survivors, perpetrators who confessed and sought forgiveness, and those who risked their lives to protect others. ALSO READ: Genocide commemoration: Why we remember The reconciliation process began in prisons, where convicted perpetrators were educated about the Genocide’s causes and consequences and encouraged to seek forgiveness. Survivors were also supported through programmes that promoted resilience and healing. Though difficult, at first, the initiative has proven invaluable for parents and the younger generation. Celestin Ngaruyinka, the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Rwanda, emphasized the critical role that youth play in shaping Rwanda’s future. “These young people are the greatest hope for our country. They live, study, and worship together. They look up to their parents, but they also look beyond their past and see themselves as one people,” he said. ALSO READ: Digital warriors: How Rwandan youth are using social media to fight Genocide ideology and preserve memory Thomas Hakizimana, 27, represents the youth in Mbyo. Hakizimana’s grandfather was a genocide perpetrator, while his father lived in DR Congo at times. Despite his family’s past, Hakizimana has grown up with a strong sense of unity. “We have a youth club called Inganzoy’amahoro where we learn about different things, including our country’s history and talk openly about the dangers of divisionism. Our parents also take time to explain the ethnic ideologies that once tore the country apart. Now, we see ourselves only as Rwandans, working together in unity.” He believes the unique setting of the village allows for deeper learning. “We live the history every day. We hear the stories, visit memorials, and ask questions freely. This environment gives us a strong foundation to say ‘Never Again,’ not just as a slogan but from lived experience.” ALSO READ: Genocide ideologues, denialists targeting less informed youth, warns Minister Claudette Mukeshimana, 23, comes from a family of survivors. She first learned about her background during a village storytelling session, where community members shared personal testimonies. “At first, I did not know a lot about the history. But through these sessions, and our parents’ guidance, I came to understand what happened during the Genocide.” She credits the village and the current government for creating an environment where young people no longer think in terms of ethnic identity. “No one can plant division among us now. Our parents explained how bad leadership created ethnic hatred and division. Today, our leadership sees all Rwandans as equal. We work together regardless of our backgrounds.” Jean-Baptiste Ndoreyaho, 17, is the son of a former perpetrator. Growing up in Mbyo, he saw his family living peacefully with survivors—some of whom had lost relatives at the hands of his own father. That reality shaped his understanding of reconciliation. “Because our parents live in peace, we do too. We play together; we visit each other. There’s no hate. Our environment teaches us peace.” His curiosity about history is always met with openness at home. “Whenever I have questions, my parents explain things to me. That helps me understand what really happened and strengthens my determination to preserve unity and peace.” ALSO READ: Kwibuka 31: The role of poetry in preserving memory Theoneste Maradona Dufitimana, 29, is a youth leader in Mbyo. His father was released from prison in 2023 after serving time for his role in the 1994 Genocide. Dufitimana moved to the village nine years ago after losing his mother, in 2003. He describes Mbyo as the most supportive place he has ever lived. “The people here have treated us like family. Even now that my father is back, I still feel closer to the neighbours in this village than I do to him. They’ve helped me through a lot.” He said that the kindness shown to him and his siblings came without judgment or reference to ethnicity. “They never saw us as the children of a perpetrator. They just saw us as part of the community.” ALSO READ: THROUGH PICTURES: Rwanda marks 31st commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi Osee Nkulikiyimana, the Civic Engagement and Community Mobilization Officer at Bugesera District, noted that youth in reconciliation villages have unique access to firsthand knowledge about the Genocide. “They are not just learning history; they are living it through stories and experiences shared directly by their parents. They’re surrounded by examples of unity and resilience.” While disagreements can arise, just like in any community, he said, they are never rooted in past divisions. “What’s important is that these youth are growing up with clarity, understanding, and a sense of responsibility. They are proof that reconciliation is not only possible; it’s thriving.”

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Unity and reconciliation through the eyes of youth in a Rwandan village