10/2/2020 1 Comment Discussion with RwandansThis was a very heavy week.
9/28: In the morning we visited the Nyamata and Ntarama Genocide Memorial sites. These were churches where thousands of Tutsi's had taken refuge during the genocide and then were massacred within the churches. You can still see the bullet holes in the ceilings, broken walls from grenades, and worst of all the blood stained walls. I felt very humbled and deep in thought at each of the churches, as many of us were, trying to imagine and mourn for the thousands that lost their lives. Later in the day we got to speak with two of the survivors of the genocide which was a great opportunity and very emotional. They got to tell us of their experiences, how they've been handling life in Rwanda post-genocide, and the importance of memorials. They were very honest with us and vulnerable. They talked to us about the role of forgiveness, what peacebuilding looks like on a local and national level, and the balance of teaching future generations about the genocide without passing on the trauma. The conversations were incredible and I hope to get the chance to talk with them again during my research period. 9/30: In the morning we got to visit Never Again Rwanda, an organization that works to bring together communities to discuss their trauma and bond as a community. They run local meetings with survivors, bystanders, perpetrators, rescuers, really anyone that wants to come together to speak with one another. It's an amazing organization that works directly with the community and is making real impacts instead of more international organizations that lack the context of Rwanda. In the afternoon we had a discussion with Ex-Tigists or perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi's. We spoke with three men that had committed acts of genocide, they each took turns talking about their experience during the genocide and post-genocide of jail and gacaca's. Our director translated their stories into English for us. They each spoke very solemnly. It felt very odd to be in a room with people who had aided the genocide. They talked about the process they went through for coming back into their communities, and gaining forgiveness. They praised the gacaca courts for their ability to give them reconciliation for their crimes and apologize to their victims and their families. It was another humbling moment in getting to sit with them and try to gain new perspectives on how Rwandans have been working to continue to live together. 10/1: This morning we spoke with Hutu Rescuers from the genocide. One man was in the military at the time of the genocide, and helped dozens of Tutsi's escape to Burundi while his life was threatened. There was also a woman who had recently given birth during the genocide, who hid multiple children and women in her home. Every day militiamen came to her house and threatened that the next day they would come and murder her entire family and the Tutsi's. Both of their stories of heroism and bravery were incredibly inspiring and who you hope you would be put in their situation. I can't imagine what it would be to be constantly threatened as well as my family, I hope to never be in the situation. Their stories were inspirational. The week overall was very heavy. It was great getting to learn and speak directly from those who experienced the genocide. It's the reason why I came here, to go beyond the literature (mostly written by Western academics) and get to learn firsthand from the people.
1 Comment
Kenille Baumgardner
10/26/2020 05:50:47 am
Mary, I can now look at a map of Africa and easily find where you are. What a huge continent and so many countries I can't locate when I hear on the news. I managed to drop out for a time and forgot to check your blog. What an amazing time you are having. Mother Sarah's sermon this morning talking about Agape love which was the love the people in Charleston had for Roof that they could forgive his killing of 9 of their congregation. You are seeing first hand what hate has done and hopefully what love can do. I hope I never have to understand this first hand though this latest election brings hate to the fore. You will be very different person when you come back to the states. You may not know it at first but you will have grown in a way most of us will never have a chance to experience.
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