Hi All,
There was such a contrast in our programming on Tuesday compared to Wednesday. On Tuesday, we met with staff at the Dutch Ambassador's residence where we were welcomed very, very warmly. Given that we arranged the visit with the embassy on a visit on a very, very short notice, our visit, the welcome and, of course, the discussion were all exceptional. The Ambassador welcomed us, and then we discussion a variety of topics, including the Dutch diaspora in Canada. Our visit was truly incredible! Dankje vel! :)
Following the high level visit, we continued on to COPORWA, and NGO which is engaged with the 'Twa' ethnic group - the indigenous group in Rwanda - in ensuring that their rights are voiced, and recognized.
After lunch we proceeded to Kayonza, and the reconciliation village, where we met, spoke with, and encouraged former survivors AND perpetrators, who now live side-by-side. This experience was very moving and powerful. More on this below...
Following the visit to the village, we all got a COVID-19 test - which we all passed - and then travelled to Discover Rwanda Kayonza Eco-Lodge/Women’s Opportunity Centre (WOC) where we had an amazing dinner, a few drinks (!), and chatted about the day's events, but also about comparative political theory: institutions, ideas and interests. If things progress this way, this visit to Rwanda is turning into a sort of professional development for the three leaders.
Today, Wednesday, we 'took the day off' and spent the day in Agakera National Park! The visit included a safari-type ride - about 3 or so hours long - during which we saw incredible wildlife: giraffes, water buffalos, African fishing eagles, zebras, buffalos, a leopard and baboons! Please see the pictures on my FB page. We also saw a demonstration or two by the K9 unit of the park rangers whose task is to protect the wildlife in the 1000+ square kilometer park bordering Tanzania. Poaching is now reduced to minimum numbers due to the security measures implemented by the Park.
So, how to make sense of all of this? As I mentioned earlier, the programs we took part in on Tuesday versus those we participated in on Wednesday were very contrasting, and for good reasons. On Tuesday, we spoke with foreign government officials who are very engaged - and in tune - with what is taking place in Rwanda, and who have a vested interest in ensuring that Rwanda is encouraged to continue on this nearly unbelieve path to progress, given that the genocide took place mere 29 years ago. It is difficult to meet individuals here who have not been impacted by the genocide. Our guide today at the National Park was a survivor! The effects of the genocide - the personal and the social effects - can certainly be felt. However, Rwanda is developing - more so in Kigali than in the country side, but even in the country side, there are signs of economic, but most certainly, social progress. Reconciliation is perhaps winning the proverbial 'race' here - if we can call it as such, and we really should not. Economic development and reconciliation are on a parallel track here. It is truly empowering to see how the country has progressed economically, but it is very inspiring to see how individuals have moved on personally. As we found out at the Reconciliation Village, survivors and perpetrators had to make extremely difficult choices, and their lived continue to be impacted by the past - emotionally, mentally and physically. But they are trying to move on, and in fact have moved on - as much as it seems possible. It seems to be the case that the choice to move on - to talk about what happened, even if someone was raped, was impregnated, left for a refugee camp in the Congo, returned, to find out that she was HIV positive, or to confess that someone killed an elderly man, three families and was responsible for the death of the parents of the very person who is providing opportunities for healing to this perpetrator - was a personal decision. As we found out from the individuals we met here, in some cases it had to be a personal decision because otherwise the anger, and the hate would destroy the person who felt those feelings, or perhaps it was to raise a child, or to reunite with family; the choice was personal, and the social structures encouraged - and continue to encourage - reconciliation, forgiveness, and moving on.
Rwanda is a complex mosaic of economic progress given what took place 29 years ago, reconciliation, remembrance, personal struggles to live with the past but in the present, but also hope, kindness and hospitality. Rwanda's brand - if we can call it that - of dealing with a mass atrocity, and genocide in particular, is an extremely complex and interesting puzzle which we will not solve by Sunday, but will most certainly uncover a number of additional pieces to it.
Wishing you a wonderful evening as we are certainly having one here in Kigali!
Laszlo :)