Rwanda: Recovering from a devastating war and genocide has made tremendous progress since July of 1994. The country for the most part is secure and peaceful except in the northwest
where
soldiers from the former government are attempting an overthrow of the
present government.
Kigali, the capital is growing by leaps and bounds and one can not believe that this is the same town that experienced such devastation just a few years back in 1994. Stores have opened and are filled with merchandise, the streets are filled with cars, and the place is bustling with activity.
Rwanda is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has a very
pleasant climate and is filled with mountains and lakes. As you drive
through the countryside you see some of the most beautiful
sights ever seen. In the mountains the temperature drops quite low and you
can see the farmers with their hoes heading into the hills to till their
plots on terraced mountainsides.
After six, the town literally folds up and turns quiet except for some Police Patrols here and there. Very unlike Uganda or Kenya.
Most people were affected by the genocide that took upward to a million people and the pain and agony that people, especially children endured is a tribute to the African way to handle grief inside of the family structure. Since death is an everyday part of life, the strong support structure built into the African relational systems aids them to face such things as disease, death and other tragedies.
The war and genocide that touched the heart and mind of every person in
Rwanda does not just float away on soft clouds into the sunset. It
will take a paradigm shift in the hearts and mind of every Rwandese to move
away from tribal thinking toward being a human being living in Rwanda.
This can only take place as President Paul Kagame leads his nation toward
healing and recovery and away from patterns that have visited the country
time and time again. Hopefully what I heard an official say to me in
1994 will become true, "never again."...jon
| Let us behave
gently, that we may die peacefully: That our children may
stretch out their hands upon us in burial Yoruba Proverb - Nigeria |
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Search Out of Africa - Too Site
Last updated: 13 February 2008
Copyright © 1996-2008 by Nutshell Creations. All material on this site is the exclusive property of Nutshell Creations . E-mail me for permission to use material on this site.