What can you say about the Rwandan genocide? What do you say when 500,000 – 1 million people were killed in 100 days?
On my Rwanda Adventure, I visited the Genocide Memorial Centre in Kigali. The site where 250,000 were murdered is definitely eye-opening. But being an outsider, I feel that anything I say will be trite. It’s the same reasons why I haven’t written about the concentration camps in Germany.
Beyond the usual “horrific” “unbelievable” “tragic” descriptions. I have no real meaningful adjectives that provide any new insights to describe the horrific events of 1994. Instead, I will share the words of some Rwandan genocide survivors. Who can speak more meaningful and powerful than I ever could:
I also highly recommend reading the book We Wish to Inform You that Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families: Stories From Rwanda by Philip Gourevitch. Needless to say, it’s not the most uplifting book you’ll ever read, but I realized how ignorant I was about the Rwandan genocide.
The world really did turn a blind eye. It also made my time in Rwanda much more meaningful as I gained insights into what has made Rwanda, Rwanda. And how a mere 10 years later no one discusses Hutu or Tutsi descent and everyone refers to themselves as united Rwandans instead.
Know Before You Go to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre:
- Admission to the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre is by donation only. Donations are also accepted online as well.
- Opening Hours: 8 pm to 5 pm daily (must enter by 4 pm). Opens at 2 pm on Umuganda Saturdays.
- You can choose an audio guide or just walk through the centre and just read the signage, which is what I did. There are a lot of very informative displays and I felt the exhibits were very powerful.
- Warning: The Children’s Memorial is one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen. If you are bringing children, ensure they are old enough/mature enough to handle it. It might be a good idea to have a look yourself first before deciding to bring your children into this part of the centre.
- You can arrange your visit by yourself, just show up, no reservations required. My guide from Amahoro Tours dropped me off and waited until I was finished my visit.
I left Rwanda in awe – because of both the atrocities that people can commit on neighbours and friends but also at the same time in awe of the incredible strength the survivors have to forge ahead and create a new Rwanda – one where everyone is safe.
This was such a heartbreaking post and those quotes from those children gave me chills. I can’t even begin to imagine what impact a visit to such a powerful and emotional memorial can do to a person. Thinking about the Children’s Memorial just brings me to tears. Thanks for sharing your memories and bringing this to light. You’re right, there really are no adjectives to describe these atrocities. It’s also amazing to think how the survivors have gathered enough strength to rebuild.
@Mary – It was the children’s quotes that really got me. It was a difficult place to visit, but I’m so glad I did. It definitely left a lasting impression and gave me so much respect for the survivors.
I completely understand that it is hard to describe a place like this, so thank you for still sharing it. I think it is so important to visit places like this, or read about them, so we can all remember what has happened and be reminded to do whatever we can to prevent tragedies like this from happening in the future.
@Katherine – I agree and I’m so glad I visited it, definitely left a lasting impression.