I visited Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi with my class, on May 14. It was a very good initiative from the school to get us to learn more about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. I had heard about the Genocide before, but seeing the Memorial in person made everything feel more real and serious. ALSO READ: Lessons from Kigali Genocide Memorial through the lens of an Afghani student When we arrived, I noticed the quiet atmosphere. The place looked peaceful from the outside, but I knew that inside, it held a lot of sadness and pain. ALSO READ: A preventable genocide, a denied responsibility: What ‘Corridors of Power’ reveals about Rwanda As we entered, we were greeted by a guide who explained that the Memorial is a place to remember the people who lost their lives during the Genocide, notably the 250,000 victims buried there. The guide showed us around the different parts of the exhibitions at the memorial. The first part was on the before the Genocide, how it was planned, and how it was executed. ALSO READ: Why Rwanda cannot ignore the threat of genocide ideology next door We also saw photos and read stories of some of the victims. The stories were very heartbreaking. One story that particularly stayed with me was that of a baby only a few months old who was brutally killed by being thrown against a wall. The memorial also had displays with personal belongings of the victims, like clothes and pictures. It made everything more personal and real. I started to think about how cruel and unfair the Genocide against the Tutsi was, and I wondered how people could do such terrible things to others. ALSO READ: UNESCO-listed memorials to play key role in educating youth Lastly, we visited the mass graves, covered with flowers and stones, to honour and remember the victims. We placed a bouquet of flowers on a mass grave and observed a minute of silence. It was hard to imagine that so many people, including children and women, had been killed in such a short time (just 100 days!). Seeing the graves made me feel a mix of sadness and respect for those who suffered. From there we posed in front of the Flame of Remembrance. In deep thought, while reflecting, I felt a little overwhelmed, but I also felt thankful for the steps taken towards reconciliation as well as the peace we now enjoy. The visit to the Memorial made me realise how important it is to remember the past so that such terrible events don’t ever happen again. Throughout the visit, I felt a deep sense of respect for the victims and for the survivors. I also felt a bit guilty because I can’t imagine going through what they did. It was a very emotional experience, and it made me think about how important it is to promote kindness and understanding among people. Overall, visiting Kigali Genocide Memorial was a very powerful experience. It was sad, but it also taught me a lot about history and the importance of peace. I think everyone should visit such places because they remind us of what can happen when hatred takes over. I will never forget what I saw and felt during this visit. It made me more aware of the importance of peace and unity in our world. The writer is a student at Mother Mary International School Complex- Kibagabaga.
