Forgiveness is the only way forward for Rwanda genocide survivors

Around 25 years back, Rwanda faced one of the most heinous killings which tore the country apart. The spasm of ethnic hatred is although hard for the genocide survivors to recall the time when their loved ones were consigned to unknown graves, yet they believe that forgiveness is the only way forward. They spoke to WION and shared their story of so far.

"I was four years old when genocide happened. Although I do not remember the complete picture, some of the gory images of history are hard for me to forget. I lost my parents just after three weeks of the genocide. It is very hard for me to see the guy alive who killed my parents. He asks me to forgive him. I forgive him now as I see a larger picture with my family who I want to learn from the past and fight for the nation", says Cedric Nsabimana (Rwanda genocide survivor).

While Anita Umuhire, eight years at the time of the genocide, lost more than 10 members of her family, recalls the time when she managed to escape.

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"We were at home when it first started. Like many people, we did not understand the gravity of what was happening until my friends started dying and the killers broke into our home, trying to find if we had ties with the enemies. We started hiding behind the bushes and spent three weeks. A family priest came to help us escape and took us to his parish but it wasn’t safe for us because by then our family had been affiliated to ''the enemy'', but anyhow we managed to escape to Hotel des Milles Collines (Hotel Rwanda). Hence, the escape was not so easy for us, Umuhire said.

At the time of the genocide which was sparked after the killing of then president, it took survivors long to rebuild their lives. But now the unity and togetherness give them hope for a better and safer future for their family to live in.

"My neighbours helped me in surviving when I was running on the streets. Now I see a completely different picture of Rwanda and the mentality of the people. We now do not see each other as any ethnic group but just as Rwandian. Those people who did genocide are now friends, family and neighbours. This is just because of forgiveness. Hence no matter what happens again with us, we should always remember that we are accountable to one another, says Cedric, who is now a father of an eight-month-old son.

While Umuhire, emphasises how better education and good leadership plays an important role for any country to develop it's fractured economy/stability and wants her child to dream big.

"Education is very important. It's the tool that opens up one's mind and allows them to use their own judgement and make good decisions. Our people were taught hate through bad leadership which resulted in the murder of millions and left so many wounded for life but through education, people are now able to make better judgement calls and realise that what unites us is bigger than what separates us", Umuhire added.

Both the survivors feel, they are proud of their country to which Victor Kgomoeswana, an author from Africa agrees and says, "Africa is the best run country by far. Evidence being its economy and political stability now."

"We commemorate every year not to revenge but to tell the world that Rwandian is accountable for each other and can find a solution to its all problems," added Kgomoeswana.