Mashirika theatre group brings hope to Rwanda

The hall was extremely dark! A strange and earsplitting terrifying sound filled the air and all of a sudden, I heard a loud voice which burst like thunder, “here…I…come!” the voice scared the children who were inside the hall. Mashirika, a local theatre group was staging a play to celebrate their 10th Anniversary. The First Lady, Mrs. Jeannette Kagame and other notables including the Minister of Culture and Sports Joseph Habineza, Minister of Health Richard Sezibera, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Agnes Binagwaho attended the celebration. For Mashirika, there was no better way to thank their esteemed fans for the ten years of loyalty than performing some of their most liked dances and plays, including their popular “Africa’s Hope.” The cast explores how and why one million people were murdered during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis. With the different dances and plays, actors and actresses doing the real thing of creativity, the crowd was totally touched. And to many, the play was nothing but a blessing since almost the whole drama was talking about “Hope” after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The play also conveys the brutality of the perpetuators of the genocide and highlights the universal lessons of individual responsibility. Hope Azeda, the Artistic Director of Mashirika told the attendants that the group is constantly exploring new ways of developing and learning new technical theatrical skills. Azeda also extended her warm appreciation to all their fans and the Ministry of Culture and Sports for the continuous support and courage. Minister Habineza, who was also the guest of honour at the ceremony, congratulated Azeda for her great efforts to form such a strong theater group. Ends

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Mashirika theatre group brings hope to Rwanda