Conclusion
Today, I arrived back in the United States. As I reflect back on my month-long trip, I realize how much my perspective not only on Rwanda but even the entire world has changed.
Before visiting Rwanda, I - like most other people - expected a war-torn country, ridden with poverty. Even though I knew it was currently a safe place, I still remained apprehensive of visiting the country in which nearly 1 million people had been murdered within 100 days.
Yet, Rwanda is not a country filled with danger, not now at least. Rwanda, "the Land of 1000 Hills" actually has the most friendly population, not to mention the most beautiful landscape, I have ever seen. Every person, whether I knew them or not, shook hands with me and welcomed me to Rwanda. Friends - no matter what age or gender- walked through the streets holding hands, an action which I found very strange at first. Although I'd always associated Rwanda with genocide, visiting the country actually made such an association nearly impossible considering the country's friendly atmosphere. The question everyone asks after visiting this country makes much more sense to me now: how could such horrible acts happen in such a beautiful place?
Rwanda has remarkably progressed since the genocide, especially because of the government's effective policies which join the two goals of reconstruction and reconciliation. Through institutions such as the Gacaca courts, FARG, and National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Rwanda has managed to address the roots of genocide which are division and inequality and replace them with unity and harmony. Politically, economically, and socially, the government has begun to try to equalize society by giving everyone, both Hutus and Tutsis (the ID cards which made these distinctions have been abolished), the same opportunities within government, business, school etc. Although it's true that Rwanda still has much progress to make in order to truly end discrimination and division, the potential and dedication of the country towards reconciliation are clearly great.
Many people wonder how I, as a 16-year-old, have been able to deal with the images and stories I've heard concerning the genocide. In the US, I'd always viewed the horror of the genocide as a figure, 800,000 deaths. But to go to Rwanda and hear of individual murders made the terror of the genocide much more difficult to handle, and much more difficult to comprehend. It's true that much of what I saw will forever be etched into my memory, but I also realize that only by seeing the images I saw and hearing the stories I heard can I now truly say that I understand what took place during the genocide. I recognize now the suppression that the Hutus suffered which allowed them to commit such evil acts and the true intensity of torture that the genocide victims suffered from 1959 until 2004.
If anything, I hope people especially students realize their ability to help the world just by educating themselves about issues and problems that go on. Many people still don't know what happened in Rwanda 12 years ago (I was one of those people until last year) and what's upsetting is that even after that atrocity, many people are unaware of the current genocide taking place today in Darfur, Sudan. Hopefully, Rwanda will one day serve as a warning for what can happen when the world fails to intervene and help, and also as a model of reconstruction and reconciliation for all of those conflict-ridden areas (i.e. Iraq and Sudan) in desperate need of harmony.
Because this is my last entry, I'd like to thank the Nyombayire family who hosted us during our stay in Rwanda, the Episcopal Academy and the Ben Read scholarship committee who sponsored my trip, the Philadelphia Inquirer which provided me with the opportunity to write about my experiences, my family who bravely accompanied me, and finally all of those who have taken the time to read this blog.
Hopefully, Rwanda's example will one day teach the world to carry out its promise of never again allowing genocide to take place.
Before visiting Rwanda, I - like most other people - expected a war-torn country, ridden with poverty. Even though I knew it was currently a safe place, I still remained apprehensive of visiting the country in which nearly 1 million people had been murdered within 100 days.
Yet, Rwanda is not a country filled with danger, not now at least. Rwanda, "the Land of 1000 Hills" actually has the most friendly population, not to mention the most beautiful landscape, I have ever seen. Every person, whether I knew them or not, shook hands with me and welcomed me to Rwanda. Friends - no matter what age or gender- walked through the streets holding hands, an action which I found very strange at first. Although I'd always associated Rwanda with genocide, visiting the country actually made such an association nearly impossible considering the country's friendly atmosphere. The question everyone asks after visiting this country makes much more sense to me now: how could such horrible acts happen in such a beautiful place?
Rwanda has remarkably progressed since the genocide, especially because of the government's effective policies which join the two goals of reconstruction and reconciliation. Through institutions such as the Gacaca courts, FARG, and National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Rwanda has managed to address the roots of genocide which are division and inequality and replace them with unity and harmony. Politically, economically, and socially, the government has begun to try to equalize society by giving everyone, both Hutus and Tutsis (the ID cards which made these distinctions have been abolished), the same opportunities within government, business, school etc. Although it's true that Rwanda still has much progress to make in order to truly end discrimination and division, the potential and dedication of the country towards reconciliation are clearly great.
Many people wonder how I, as a 16-year-old, have been able to deal with the images and stories I've heard concerning the genocide. In the US, I'd always viewed the horror of the genocide as a figure, 800,000 deaths. But to go to Rwanda and hear of individual murders made the terror of the genocide much more difficult to handle, and much more difficult to comprehend. It's true that much of what I saw will forever be etched into my memory, but I also realize that only by seeing the images I saw and hearing the stories I heard can I now truly say that I understand what took place during the genocide. I recognize now the suppression that the Hutus suffered which allowed them to commit such evil acts and the true intensity of torture that the genocide victims suffered from 1959 until 2004.
If anything, I hope people especially students realize their ability to help the world just by educating themselves about issues and problems that go on. Many people still don't know what happened in Rwanda 12 years ago (I was one of those people until last year) and what's upsetting is that even after that atrocity, many people are unaware of the current genocide taking place today in Darfur, Sudan. Hopefully, Rwanda will one day serve as a warning for what can happen when the world fails to intervene and help, and also as a model of reconstruction and reconciliation for all of those conflict-ridden areas (i.e. Iraq and Sudan) in desperate need of harmony.
Because this is my last entry, I'd like to thank the Nyombayire family who hosted us during our stay in Rwanda, the Episcopal Academy and the Ben Read scholarship committee who sponsored my trip, the Philadelphia Inquirer which provided me with the opportunity to write about my experiences, my family who bravely accompanied me, and finally all of those who have taken the time to read this blog.
Hopefully, Rwanda's example will one day teach the world to carry out its promise of never again allowing genocide to take place.
posted by Mallika Khandelwal at 6:46 AM
7 Comments:
Great Work!!!
this is a good link you can refer Art Collection
I love your blog! Great pictures too! I'm Ruth by the way and I'm a high school senior 17 going on 18. Like you, I'm really devoting my time to study the Rwandan genocide and have been writting blogs about it and of Darfur as well as reading and watching documetaries. I would like to go to Rwanda someday and I'm planning to write a book about it (as soon as I find a publisher that is!) Keep up the good work!
Good job! You are a bright and courageous young woman! By the way I am Rwandan living in the United States. I experienced genocide before I came to the US. We can share some opinions if you like.
Joseph
Mallika,
This morning when I saw your interview with Soledad on CNN, I was awestruck. There you were talking about the very thing I want to do. I was 16 when the 1994 genocide took place and knew very little about it until the release of Hotel Rwanda. Since then I, like you, have been intrigued and drawn to the tragedy of the genocide and inspired by the hope and beauty of those left behind to tell the tales. Rwanda touched my life as well. I haven't been there yet but plan on spending the rest of my life working toward helping in situations such as this.
One very quick question: what was your impression of how the widows are coping? I know that some of the traditional views hold fast and that many women are struggling to find ways to provide for themselves and their children. Did you get to meet with any of them? I know you mentioned counseling for victims - are there special counselors/facilities for women who were raped during the 1994 genocide?
You're an excellent role model for young people everywhere.
Best wishes in the future,
Rhonda
This was a great series. Now I'm really interested in learning more. You've done a great job. It's hard to believe you're only 16. Kudos to you, kiddo!
Great site loved it alot, will come back and visit again.
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Muraho
I'm so grateful that you loved Rwanda. I've been there twice (I live in Wisconsin) and my desire is to go back for an extended period. I've never seen such joy in my life as I did on the faces of the Rwandans. They've struggled so much and continue to deal with the aftermath of what happened but there is something about them that inspires me. When I'm there I work with an organization called Solace Ministries. I think we as Americans have a lot to learn about life. I'm thankful you had the opportunity to learn that from the Rwandans.
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