Walk to Remember

Sunday, April 10, 2011

We Remember the Life Lost

Walk to Remember is not about remembering the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis where "one million people" were murdered. It is about remembering each father, mother, daughter, son, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, grandmother, grandfather, grandchild, and friend. Every person who was killed was and is loved, every person who was mutilated was and is loved, and every person who was raped was and is loved. Every life is of equal value and every life deserves to be remembered. Genocide is not about the millions, it's about the person. We do not look at our own family members and friends as a number, and we should not look at anyone else's as a number either.
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Participants, partners and organizers of Walk to Remember are honored to remember and celebrate the life of each person who was loved and lost. It is our mission to continue to unite the international community and empower the youth to take a stand against genocide and mass atrocities until "never again" really means "never again."

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Thousands participate in ‘Walk to Remember’
By Frank Kanyesigye, New Times

KIGALI - Thousands of Rwandan youth joined by their colleagues from the region yesterday participated in the ‘Walk to Remember,’ a march organised to pay tribute to the over a million Tutsi who were killed in the 1994 Genocide.
The walk, which started from the Ministry of Justice in Kimihurura, lasted over half an hour and ended at Amahoro National Stadium where candles were lit in memory of the victims.

The event was held under the theme" Uniting the International Community and Empowering the Youth to Take Action against Genocide and Mass Atrocities Worldwide”.

Some names of those who lost their lives during the Genocide were also read out. Addressing the youth at the Ministry of Justice before the event, Youth Minister, Protais Mitali. said that the ‘Walk to Remember’ is a great way to educate people about the negative effects of th Genocide.

“You should choose what is right for you and builds the nation. As young people, keep in mind that you’re the future,” he said. He called upon the youth to fight against the Genocide ideology wherever they are by using all means available, including Information Communication Technology, social networking sites such as Facebook and twitter,among others.

Mitali hailed the organisers of the event and said that as they remember what happened, they should also keep in mind their responsibility in building the future.

The walk was championed by Peace and Love Proclaimers (PLP), the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), Aegis Students and As We Forgive Rwanda initiative.

Throughout April, Rwandan youth living around the world will host ‘Walk to Remember’ and related activities on their campuses and within their communities.

The events will take place in 20 locations in Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, DR Congo, Canada, USA, UK and India The walk was also attended by various senior government officials.

- By Frank Kanyesigye, New Times

See article

Thursday, April 7, 2011

We Remember

"Rwanda is like a forest. Burn it down and from its ashes rise a far better nation. From the bloodshed rise a brighter generation. Flames burn deep inside our hearts. We are not angry nor do we seek vengeance. We seek a God fearing and united future." - MUGISHA Jessy

“Upholding the truth, preserving our dignity, remembering our beloved ones lost during 1994 genocide, never again should this happen to humanity”
– Frank Habineza

“We remember to keep the memories of our beloved ones close to our souls.”
– Mbabazi Joed

"Iyo umenya nawe ukimenya, ntuba waranyishe" - "If you'd known me and known yourself, you wouldn't have killed me."   
Today and everyday, we remember and we strive to know our brothers, our sisters and ourselves better. We take responsibility to see that the memory of those who perished in 1994 is not tarnished. Rwanda I pray for your healing!
– Jean Michel Habineza

When the sun rose on this day in 1994, dogs could walk free but people hid in dark, cramped spaces, afraid of what their neighbors would do if they found them. 17 years later, we say "Never again, Rwanda". But really we should say "Never again, World" because so much changes yet a lot stays the same.
– Pauline Mutumwinka

When remembering the loved ones who died in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi please remember them by name because one of the wrongs of genocide is that it seeks to make them just numbers!! – Jean Michel Habineza