Day 6: Kigali

Today, we spent the morning observing more classes. At around 11, we drove into Kigali to do some sightseeing. First, we visited the National Rwandan Genocide Memorial & Museum.

At the beginning of the tour, we were briefed with a short film with stories of the survivors. They told their heart-wrenching stories and explained why the memorial is such a sacred place for them.

We then proceeded to the museum, which provided us with every aspect of the genocide in great detail. I appreciated the fact that towards the end of the museum, they acknowledged and educated visitors about other genocides in history, not just their own. I thought that it was absolutely generous and remarkable that even in their pain from remembering their past, they still chose to talk about other important events in history.

I thought back to when I was in 8th grade. We had a class trip to Washington D.C and one of the many sites we visited was the Holocaust Museum.

They acknowledged no other genocide.

When we left the memorial in Kigali, we went shopping. One of my favorite pastimes. We walked in this huge market that felt as if it had hundreds of crowded aisles. You could get anything from clothes to jewelry, and of course, I got some of everything.

I was soon overwhelmed with market promoters escorting us around trying to get us to buy everything in sight. Although I left with no money in my pocket, I got most of my souvenirs out of the way.

To be honest, the day was really weird in the way it was structured. It was awkward to go shopping after being around bodies of thousands of victims. I really wish that more people around the world could have the opportunity to visit the memorial.

I learned a lot about why it is important to remember ALL history and just SOME history. No shade.