National Liberation Day celebrates the transfer of political power from the genocidaires to Paul Kagame and the RPF. Kagame remains the president today and is VERY popular. The holiday is a big deal and EVERYONE celebrates in one way or another. Kevin, one of the Rwandan delegates, works in an organization that fights government corruption and was able to hook us up with VIP tickets for the big ceremony at the stadium.
Who was there? I was within 50 feet from:
1. President Paul Kagame
2. President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda
3. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia
BAM!
The stadium had an elaborate display of the Rwandan military. Reminded me of Russia's May Day parade. I counted 14 groups of 80 people each, all armed with huge guns or small rocket launchers. There was also a fly-by of the air force.
Each head of state said a few words to commemorate the holiday. I was most struck by Prime Minister Zenawi, who said, "I have no illusions about what happened in 1994" and proceeded to talk about how the genocide was brought to an end by none other than the Rwandans themselves, and that no one else could truly receive credit for stopping it.
After the speeches, there was an awesome traditional dance as well as a group of children who came out singing. A young girl among them gave an amazing declaration about the progress of Rwanda and the strive to protect human dignity in Rwanda. She said it so strongly, so eloquently, so FIERCELY. It was amazing.
What was even more amazing was... WE MET CARL WILKINS!
Carl Wilkins is the ONLY American to stay behind during the genocide. He saved about 400 people. A true hero. I admire him for his courage and compassion to stay behind when he could very well have peaced out and saved himself. He was in Rwanda doing missionary work, and comes back every now and then to do more work. This time he was here with teachers meeting with students. AND I GOT TO MEET HIM! He's a beautiful, white-haired man with a kind smile and he was so friendly with us. He was interested in meeting with some students so we exchanged contact information. Actually, Alice was the first one to approach him - quite the proactive one, that girl! I'm so glad Ashley recognized him. I honestly didn't know about him before so I definitely wouldn't have paid much attention to him. It was such an honor to meet a man like him. People like him blow my mind. I know in my heart that I wouldn't have been able to do what he did. I just know it. But meeting him makes me want to be able to do what he did if I were in a similar situation.
1 comments:
Four more excellent posts, Lynnette. You write like you speak- never boring and always engaging. I confess I can't keep all the players and locations straight but I'm trying. I hope you're taking lots and lots of photos but for
now your words paint very detailed pictures.
I was struggling the other day to put my exact feelings about your mission to Rwanda into words but I was stumped. Perhaps my post should be directed to the Rwandans- to say to them how fortunate they are to
have a little bit of you and your group rub off on them. But then I was watching something on television last
night and one of the characters said something like "... if you save one person, you save the world" and it
was perfect.
You’re interacting with many people in Rwanda and if you inspire even just one
person to do something extraordinary with their life then indeed, you have saved part of the world. Maybe that
person will will be a great leader. Or a doctor. Or build a water supply system for a village.
Believe me Lynnette, even the simplest act of compassion and kindnesss extended to another person can
comfort, motivate, and inspire. The United States has a bit of a tarnished reputation around the world these
days so thank you for doing your part to show your new friends that we're really no better than they are. Different but certainly no better.
So you see, you are all saving the world a little bit at a time. It all adds up. And by the same token, the
Rwandans are saving the world too. The gift of teaching and sharing goes both ways, doesn't it?
Try to stay healthy. And next time try to get a seat at the front of the bus!
love, Dean
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