The year was 2007, Rwanda and Burundi had just joined the East African Community. The government of Rwanda had also abolished capital punishment, Bernard Makuza was the Prime Minister while the late Jay Polly was on top of his game dropping hit after hit. It is that exact time that Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP) was born. As PLP marked its 15th anniversary, its president, Naswiru Shema, recalled the exact events that were going on during the inception of PLP. ALSO READ: Youth urged to exploit available opportunities for country’s devt Over a thousand youth, including high school and university students, parents, PLP alumni, government officials, and others took part in the celebration of the 15th anniversary in a colourful and vibrant event held at the Radisson Blu Hotel on December 28. Referring to the consequences of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi, Shema explained that the celebrations were not just another event where young people gather to have fun, but mostly a reminder of how much survivors and post-genocide generation owe to those who stopped the genocide. ALSO READ: Young activists hang out with elderly Genocide survivors This is a significant day because it proclaims loud and clear to the whole world that the children of the thousand hills are not sleeping. We carry on our backs the cross of tomorrow, a cross heavier than the ones lifted before. We are the children of a nation that rebuilt itself up. We are not allowed to be average because it would never sustain the greatness they have achieved, he added. PLP is a youth-led organization founded in 2007 with the goal of advocating for positive change in the world through unity, peace, and development. ALSO READ: Jeannette Kagame hails role of youth in fight against genocide ideology It was founded by Marc Gwamaka and Jean-Michel Habineza, both 19 years old at the time. They came up with the idea for the 'Walk To Remember,' an international event that involves matching as a symbol of unity and reconciliation, as well as reading 100 names of people who died in the genocide. They made a call to Rwandan youth's responsibility and resilience while recounting the challenges they faced in pushing it forward. They thanked their parents for believing in them at a young age and asked for all elders, generally, to help in spreading accurate information about the country's history. The ambassador of Israel in Rwanda, Ron Adam, who was in attendance, emphasized the need for young people taking over in fighting Genocide ideologies. He said, “I commend PLP for leading the healing, unity, and reconciliation, mostly among young people themselves. That way we know the future is promising.” In attendance was also Jean-Damascene Bizimana, Minister of the Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, who entertained the youngsters with a Kinyarwanda song rendering the splendor of Rwanda and the fortitude of its people. Since you've decided to change Rwanda for the better, confront those who go around spreading genocide ideology on social media, threatening to derail the country's development. Not when you know the truth! Don't let them beat your voice, He noted. PLP engages in various Giveback activities, such as PLP Megacare, where they provided Mutuelle de Sante to 300 people and donated school supplies to children from low-income families this year. They are also known for organizing events such as Igicaniro, where they collaborate with other youth-led organizations to commemorate victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and listen to survivors' testimonies. PLP, which recently launched its own academy, was also recognized by Rwanda's first lady in the Celebrating Young Rwanda Achievers last year. The young people vowed to continue their work in and outside of the country as they celebrated their 15 years of achievements.
