GYC Team visited Genocide memorial Sites: Kigali and Nyamata

On Saturday August 15, 2015 GYC visited the Nyamata and Kigali Genocide Memorial sites. Delegates travelled to Gisozi, the main national genocide memorial in Rwanda, run my Aegis Trust. Afterwards, they continued on to Nyamata in the East, a church where mass killings took place.

                                                    Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre

 

Kigali Genocide Memorial Center.

On April 7, 1994 the Rwandan genocide began. Over 1 million people were killed in 100 days. How does one comprehend this kind of atrocity? A racist and ethno-centric ideology spread a culture of violence, hate, and understanding. Today the people of Rwanda are still coping with this massive tragedy. On August 15th we visited the Genocide Memorial Centre, a permanent place of remembrance and burial for an estimated 250,000 victims of the genocide. The memorial focuses on the causes of genocide, child victims, and reconciliation. There was also a lengthy section on genocides around the world - understanding these atrocities can help us avoid them in the future. It was a difficult and emotional experience. It is hard to imagine Rwanda - now a friendly and peaceful country - thrown into the throes of genocide. It was an important visit and one we all valued as we continue to understand the difficulties of a post-conflict country still reconciling itself to a violent past.

Black wall with names of victims

The program has really increased my passion of becoming a lawyer in the future, being one of those people that would change the world being a human rights activist. – Local Participant

The day did not end here though. After a short break for lunch, Delegates visited the Nyamata Genocide Memorial in catholic church.

Nyamata is situated in the Bugesera region, approximately 35 kilometers from the capital city of Kigali. Nyamata and the surrounding region suffered some of the most extensive devastation in 1994, a result of targeted attacks during the Genocide against the Tutsi. When the Genocide began in April of 1994, many residents of the region gathered in Nyamata Church, hoping for protection. The church was thought of as a place of refuge and of sanctuary where the militia would not dare to attack. Unfortunately, this was not the case at Nyamata Church. According to testimonies given by the memorial guide and evidence gathered, approximately 10,000 civilians were killed in and around the Catholic Church compound on April 10, 1994.

A church building at Nyamata where thousands of people were murdered.

As the marauding killers approached, people gathered in the church and padlocked the iron door that safeguarded the entrance. Members of the ‘Interahamwe’, the Hutu militia, and the Rwandese Government Forces forced the door open and entered the church with their rifles, grenades and machetes. They massacred the people hiding inside the church and went on to kill those in the surrounding area. At Nyamata, the brick walls show several gaping holes. The victims inside had locked the doors to prevent the militia and soldiers from entering the church. In response, the Interahamwe used sledge hammers to break the wall, through which grenades were thrown into the church. The killers eventually forced their way into the church and proceeded to murder the surviving men, women and children, using machetes, clubs, and local farming tools. The ceiling is riddled with bullet holes and is still stained with blood. The remains from this massacre have been removed and placed in two mass graves behind the church. The clothing of the victims of this massacre and others remains within the church walls, piled on the pews and along the floor.

Piled clothes of Genocide victims.

 Inside the church, there is a cave that contains a grave for a woman who was sexually violated during the attack as well as many skulls placed above the casket.

Glass showcase with skulls and bones under the church.

 The mass graves behind the church hold coffins, as well as skulls and bones from those killed during this massacre.

The mass graves behind the church.

 GYC participants were allowed to walk into the grave, closely coming into contact with the tragedy that happened at that spot over twenty years ago. 

 

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.  -- GYC Local participant's prayer.