One of the themes on our trip to Rwanda was to change the impression of Rwanda from “Rwanda the Genocide Country” to “Remarkable Rwanda.” And while that has certainly happened no visit to Rwanda is complete without a visit to the Rwanda Genocide Memorial. It is very moving. Especially when you realize that 250,000 people who lost their lives during this horrible time in Rwanda are interned there. The exhibit gives you a complete and honest story of this moment in history when the world went mad.
Punches are not pulled as you see machetes (the weapon of choice to kill people), read stories of neighbors killing neighbors whose kids use to play together, and learn how everyone was complicit.
What was especially moving for me was participating with our group in the laying of a wreath and individual flowers on the mass grave of the memorial. And while sad and moving, when put in context of where Rwanda is today very inspiring.