April 20, 2008

The darkness that fell upon Rwanda did not lift immediately after the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), led by the current President Paul Kagame, took control of the capital on July 1, 1994 and put an end to the genocide.

The mass exodus of the population settled in camps in neighboring countries. When the humanitarian organizations finally arrived, the "refugee crisis" received primary attention. So, the world never really heard about the genocide let alone what led up to it. To add insult to injury, large amounts of humanitarian aid was delivered to the displaced perpetrators of the genocide, who were using the camps and the relief they received to re-group and continue their killing efforts. Disease and starvation set in. By 2001, there were 613,000 orphans. It just kept getting worse.

But, out of these ashes, something magical started to happen. As the situation stabilized and Rwandans began returning home, a strong message of hope and reconciliation began to emerge. This continues to grow at an exponential rate today. Rwanda has the opportunity to become an incredibly special place.

What I'd like to start doing now is shifting attention away from Rwanda's horrific past and begin focusing on its future. Hope for and reconciliation within Rwanda rest in the people. I have had the opportunity to start meeting many of Rwanda's current and emerging leaders, and I am coming to believe it's possible.

The needs of Rwanda are endless, yet everyone with whom I have met conveyed, in the typical Rwandan soft and understated speech, a clear sense of hope and a desire for peace and reconciliation. The other thing they communicate is an unashamed acknowledgement of their need for help and an eager but humble welcoming to receive outside assistance.

They are not asking for money. They are asking for mentorship, knowledge transfer, skill development, and respect.

Let's meet the future of Rwanda....