Reflecting on Rwanda’s History

In Their Own Words: 100 Days of Remembrance, shared by Akilah Institute students Nicole Umuziranenge and Josiane Uwizera

“I was impressed to get to work with such a committed team. As we are still in the hundred days of remembrance, we wanted to have a commemoration event on campus. At Akilah Institute, we are a family and we wanted to create a time for honoring families and friends who passed away.”

— Parfaite Wirira, Student Guild President

The Akilah Institute recently hosted a campus-wide event remembering those who lost their lives and honoring others whose lives were changed forever. Each year’s commemoration activities are guided by a theme, this year’s being, “Remember-Unite-Renew”.

Belgian author and guest speaker, Albert Toch, and Akilah Institute Executive Director, Aline Kabanda, encouraged students to remember and reflect on Rwanda’s history to learn lessons and avoid such future tragedies. As the next generation of leaders, students were encouraged to be an active part of Rwanda’s development.

“Through the support of CNLG, the Never Again Club, and guild cabinet members, especially the Ministry of Holistic Affairs, we were able to have a very educational talk. The conversation focused on the history of our country starting from a time of tragedy and moving towards a developed and peaceful country.”

Story by Nicole Umuziranenge, Photos by Nicole Umuziranenge and Josiane Uwizera

More on this year’s Genocide Memorial Week and 100 Days of Remembrance