Women and the genocide: "Take your machetes and kill all the Tutsis."

You always hear about how conflict affects women and children. It’s true. Men usually do the fighting while women and children suffer the consequences and bear the brunt of the conflict. When men die, women are left alone to head to household. Those who have been raped bear the mark. But I started to wonder if women had played a role during the genocide. I have never seen a picture of a woman holding a machete or standing next to bodies. I had never really heard of a woman standing on trial for genocide. Their murderous role has been put aside, often leading to impunity. Those who committed crimes exploited the image of innocence spread by the world. Yes, many women suffer during conflict, but some also play a role in the continuation of conflict.
I went to the genocide prevention centre and found some literature on the role of women during the genocide. Murderous campaigns against the Tutsis started in the early 1960s and women played an increasingly violent role. Many didn’t need encouragement (although some were indeed threatened, beaten and forced to kill). Some women were among the leaders. They established lists of Tutsis, they participated in attacks, incited hatred and genocide, denounced neighbors and even husbands, killed their husbands and kids, some even encouraged rape. They were teachers, school girls, nurses, doctors, nuns, local representatives, politicians, journalists (“The graves are not yet full. Fill them up” said one RTLM radio journalist). Local representatives and ministers played an active role: Rose Karushara distributed weapons and decided over life and death. Doctors and nurses refused to treat patients. Two ministers, including the Minister of family and Women’s Rights, heavily participated in the organization of the killing, including the elimination of political opponents. They personally kept an eye on some operations. Why did they do it? Extremism, power, money…
Some are in prison now. I have seen a few. Many fled to Tanzania, Congo, etc. Some still live in Kigali even.

First pictures...finally

Work






Akagera National Park

Tanzania on the other side of the lake



Lake Kivu, on the Rwanda/Congo border: Mountains, volcanoes, birds and the UN





Nyamata memorial. Clothing on the floor (church)


Mass gravesMore soon!

Rwanda bits and pieces

Motos: I'm addicted to them.They're basically like taxis.Here cabs are expensive so you either get a little bus, a moto or a bike. But motos are just fun.Are the guys always find it hilarious to drive white people around.

Bus: a lot of the drivers decorate their bus: Jay-z, Kanye, Bob Marley, Chris Brown (ew...although I've seen one that said douchebag), T-bag (I don't know who that is but bad choice of name), Eminem...

Football: Africa and Football (or soccer). They just go together.They can't wait for the world cup

Rwandan TV: hilariously bad tv shows.One is called "Banana saga" or story or something like that...very bad acting but almost fun to watch.

Music: Someone called Medhi is extremely famous here.That's all they sing.Not my cup of tea really but when I get back to Canada I'll probably want to listen to him just to remind me of Rwanda.

My Kinyarwadan is getting better and it's always a hit with people here.Hey, at least I'm trying.

Also, I'm establishing a little library here with all kinds of activity books and english books for kids, a few boxes have already been sent from England.But if you have children's books and would like to send some over, let me know. When I get back to Canada, I'll probably try to get as many books as I can and have them sent over.I know a few organizations collect books all the time.We got 13 boxes the other day and the kids (and adults) love it.
Or if you want to sponsor one of centre's children, simply let me know.We established a pdf file with all the information.

Whistle while you work

Things are still great in Rwanda and I can't believe I only have 2 weeks left or so.
I'm very busy with work: sponsoring children, establishing a little library, organizing crafts and painting classes for the kids, teaching children, making baskets with the women and teach them some English, telling them and younger girls about gender-based violence and HIV, helping around at the organization's office...The days are full.I'm also planning on organizing a party/dinner for the kids and the women before I leave. Maybe even a football match if I can find a field.
I visited a woman the other who has HIV and currently has TB.She is extremely thin and stays at the hospital so her kids stay at home all day all by themselves (they can't afford the school fees and the father left). They are extremely poor.I don't think I've actually ever seen such poverty.They basically live in a one bedroom shack. There is only one bed, no kitchen or table.They live next to a polluted pond so it is not the greatest environment for someone who has HIV (malaria and all kinds of diseases).One of the boys now comes here everyday and has lunch here so we keep an eye on him and make sure he gets food.

Working with the women is fantastic: they are single mothers or have HIV (often as a result of the genocide) or come from poor broken homes with abusive husbands so it's really nice to spend time with them.They still remain positive about everything which is quite inspiring.
This weekend, another volunteer and me are planning to visit a memorial in Butare, southern Rwanda. Apparently it's pretty grim as the bodies have been preserved.I also found several genocide/conflict prevention centres around Kigali. They have great libraries and offer free lectures so I go there when I have some free time.

So this is basically what I do during the week.Lots of work but absolutely rewarding.