Many people do not know the extent of their abilities until they are put to the test. The best results occur when they are squeezed into a corner when it is a matter of life and death. Today, many survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi passed through that stage of survival, where they found themselves between the hammer and the anvil. Many survived because they refused to give up against all odds and many used ingenuity they did not know they processed until they summoned their last strength to escape the killers. When many recount what they went through but managed to survive, it is like straight out Hollywood. Today, they are riding out the Coronavirus, but this time it is not only a small section of the Rwandan population that is the target, the whole world is in COVID-19’s crosshairs. Alarm bells have been ringing for the last four months or so, many countries dismissed them but are now paying the price and then playing the blame game. Rwanda refused to play games with the virus from the onset. It is footing the bills of all in quarantine as well as those receiving treatment, something that cannot be said of many countries. But most of all, it has encouraged Rwandans to make the best out of the pandemic. At a time when most industries are at a standstill, many have been galvanized into producing medical products such as face masks and shields. Now it is alleged that biomedical students have come up with a prototype and will soon begin producing ventilators whose shortage worldwide has contributed to most deaths. If that be the case, then there is reason to believe, that within each one of us lies an inner strength that only needs to be shaken out of its slumber by life-threatening situations.
