Rwandan youth living in South Africa who are on a visit to Rwanda said they were impressed by the country's peace and security, which is different from what most of them had heard before. Despite the tragic history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that left the country torn apart, the members of the Rwandan Community Abroad said they witnessed a nation that has rebuilt itself, positively impacting both themselves and their parents. ALSO READ: Diaspora youth urged to lead Rwanda’s rebirth The delegation, consisting of 15 people, most of whom are students and professionals, is in Rwanda for the Come and See, Go and Tell cultural tour, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation through its diaspora department. Rwanda is giving an inviting energy to live here,” said Faith Yankurije, 27, who was born in Angola before her family relocated to South Africa. “I wanted to experience the fresh air in Rwanda. It’s a very green, peaceful, less noisy, and calm environment. I’d love to pursue my career here in Rwanda because the place gives me an inviting energy, peace, calmness, and relaxation. “I’d definitely establish a base to practice my marketing and customer service pursuits. There are many opportunities since I can see most businesses are just starting, including infrastructure. This would be a great match for my soft skills.” ALSO READ: Nduhungirehe lauds diaspora role in devt as remittances surpass Rwf700bn As part of understanding Rwanda’s history and the foundations of its progress, on October 4 the group visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial and the Campaign Against Genocide Museum. The purpose was to gain a deeper grasp of the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi, its aftermath, and its impact on the country and generations that followed. During the visit, the group received detailed explanations on the chronological events of the liberation struggle. They are also expected to tour other heritage sites across the country to further strengthen their understanding of their roots. Kazenga Rukundo, 16, said that he and most of his peers didn’t know much about Rwanda, even though it is their home. He noted that this opportunity will help them gain more knowledge about the country’s culture and heritage. “One thing I admire, especially when learning about the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, is the part where people [perpetrators] have been forgiven. I think it’s something other countries should learn from Rwanda,” said Rukundo. “I take pride in being Rwandan, knowing that our people are able to forgive such things. That’s a good value our country has, and I’ll go and tell others about it.” Rukundo admitted that he had different perspectives before visiting Rwanda, since he only identified as a Rwandan living in South Africa and nothing beyond that. “After coming here, I feel much prouder of being Rwandan. I’m proud to represent my culture because I now know more about it. I’ve learned about the people, the land, and the history, and I feel confident to represent my country even when I’m not here,” he said. ALSO READ: How Rwanda diaspora homecoming could boost investment Sandrine Maziyateke Uwimbabazi, Director of the Rwanda Community Abroad at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, noted that their visit is part of a long-term project aimed at giving the Rwandan diaspora first-hand experience of their country's history and its aspirations. “It’s very important because that’s where they get to understand Rwanda’s vision. Our leadership has made it a priority and is mobilizing us to build our country and every contribution counts,” she said. Maziyateke explained that some of the visiting delegation can serve as goodwill ambassadors since the diaspora, as a form of soft power, can promote the country’s good image. “We believe they are going to share their experiences with others. Some people have been fed false propaganda that Rwanda is not safe, but they have seen everything for themselves and they love the country,” she said. She noted that the continuation of such tours, which eventually build into the broader framework of homecoming initiatives, enables the diaspora to participate in the country's development agenda. “This is how the impact becomes visible. They share information, some return to invest, and others contribute to the country’s economy,” she said. “Rwanda is open to anyone with skills. We cannot favor foreigners over Rwandans. We have generations across the globe with valuable skills, and we believe they can contribute enough to their country, even from abroad,” she added. Maziyateke noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced the Rwanda Community Abroad Management System, which serves as a one-stop center where important information is uploaded. The platform is active, and in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, job opportunities will be posted so that those with special skills can apply.
