Grenades in Kigali

There was recently three grenades thrown in the capital city, Kigali. It took place at the same day, the same time of day in two different parts of the city. Two people were killed and around 18 were injured. Starting in February, the genocide commemorative events begin. They last through April. We have been told that there is generally one retaliatory act of violence each year within this time span. Personally, I am safe and I feel incredibly protected. In terms of the country, it is salt in a wound. They have taken great measures to acknowledge their history and fight to never repeat it.

Before leaving Kigali, we visited the genocide memorial museum. It is the gravesite of over 250,000 Rwandans. It also serves as an educational tool to explain the complete history of Rwanda, including personal stories around the genocide, and the aftermath. To call it powerful would be an understatement. It also tells the story of other genocides throughout history, the immediate repercussions and the continuing repercussions. The museum works with schools throughout the country to educate children on tolerance and equality.

Being in Rwanda adds a layer of complexity to serving in the Peace Corps. Although most of the stories are silent, the history has created the present. A vast majority of Rwandans suffer post-traumatic-stress-disorder. Everyone has a story of where they were in 1994. Although my experiences with Rwandans have been incredibly friendly, they as a whole are a reserved country. Topics such as these should not be asked about directly and if they are discussed should be treated with great care. I feel honored to be in this country as they build their future. There is an incredible sense of hope here.