Hope springing out of despair

“Hope” has become a common buzzword. President Obama used the word almost 450 times in speeches delivered on his campaign trail. But just how positive is Rwanda in honouring the memory of the genocide and rebuilding the country?

Last month marked the fifteenth anniversary of this tragedy, where more than 800,000 innocent Rwandans were killed in just 100 days. Around an eighth of its population were brutally shot, hacked and clubbed to death, whilst the international community remained silent.

President Obama himself paid tribute to the “sombre occasion” that causes us to reflect upon the men, women, and children that “had their own story, their own family, and their own dreams”.

Positive progress has been made; over 94 per cent of children have enrolled in primary education and there is an annual economic growth of around 6 per cent. However, a number of health concerns continue to ravage the country; including poor access to clean drinking water, the prevalence of HIV and a mere 8 per cent of people have adequate sanitation facilities.

In 2007 I visited Rwanda to represent my former school’s charitable outreach partnership with an AIDS clinic in a small, rural village in the western province, Mubuga. The money raised has helped to improve the general well-being of this village and the people’s self-esteem.

I was able to observe, first-hand, the money in action. It was used to build homes, develop clinics and to purchase a 4x4 truck, which was used to transport patients, medical supplies and food.

As a result, I have a real appreciation for their way of life, where they have wealth in love, community and faith. I recall, on a blazing day at noon, up to 1000 people gathered in a desperately uncomfortable, overheated tin-roof shack, apparently a church, to celebrate mass. Vastly exceeding its capacity and lasting two hours, everyone from the village and surrounding areas came together in worship and common belief. A moment of collective spirit and joy, celebrated through their expressive culture. My time in Rwanda opened my eyes to a reverence of life and appreciation.

This visit led me to Edinburgh Global Partnerships, a student-led charity which promotes cultural awareness and global cooperation. I have been selected as a volunteer for a project in Rwanda’s second largest city, Butare. Together with a local voluntary organisation MEDSAR (Medical Student Association Rwanda) we will raise AIDS awareness and understanding with high school students.

Through a teaching programme we will campaign for behaviour change, fight against stigma amongst young people and promote acceptance for people living with HIV, through HIV and sexual health trainings. Also, to give basic skills and maternal support to the underprivileged target groups on income generating activities. The goal of MEDSAR is to protect the rights of children from vulnerable families. It also provides education and training for working children.

Our team of eight students have been responsible for raising funds during the year and maintaining constant contact with the organisation. This will culminate in us going out to Rwanda for six weeks from June to July this summer. This project offers an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange, and although, as volunteers, we are lending our support to increase sexual health awareness, we too have much to learn.