Final Truth

No one knew of Rwanda or where it was. Many massacres and still no one knew. Then the genocide in 1994, and still no one knew of Rwanda. The great leaders of every country in the world did know about the genocide, the hideous, barbaric crimes of hate. They denied it, calling it a civil war and did nothing!

The movie Hotel Rwanda, a Hollywood film, directed by Terry George was filmed in South Africa, using South Africans and Americans, no Rwandans. This movie made a hero of a man named Paul Rusesabagina, played by Don Cheadle. Paul Rusesabagina and Rwandan president, who was former head of the RPF Paul Kagame have become public enemies of each other. In An Ordinary Man, Rusesabagina alleges "Rwanda is today a nation governed by and for the benefit of a small group of elite Tutsis...Those few Hutus who have been elevated to high-ranking posts are usually empty suits without any real authority of their own. They are known locally as Hutus de service or Hutus for hire." He has also criticized Kagame's election to president. On April 6, 2006 Kagame said, "(Rusesabagina) should try his talents elsewhere and not climb on the falsehood of being a hero, because it's totally false." George Bush presented Paul Rusesabagina with The Presidential Medal of Freedom it is a decoration bestowed by the President and is, along with the equivalent Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of Congress the highest civilian award in the United States. It is designed to recognize individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors. Mother Theresa received this medal also. Paul Rusesabagina is very active with Save Darfur and the Genocide there. He is also active in the situtions in the Congo, and Uganda. He did risk his life being a Hutu and hiding hundreds of Tutsi's.
General Romeo Dallaire, a Canadian head of the UN is a hero. He reached out for help over and over again but to no avail. General Dallaire shoud have gotten this medal and deserved it. So did many other people, that risked their lives and the lives of their families hiding Tutsi's. The movie did one good thing it put Rwanda on the map, and people became aware of the atrocities of the genocide.

Governments felt guilty after the movie and NGO's started going into Rwanda by the hundreds. Governments set up organizations and wealthy philanthropists invested in this country that had been completely destroyed. The governments and people in the United States and Europe liked the lovable Paul Kagame. He was the hero who led the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF). They came into Rwanda and stopped the genocide.

There has been a miraculous comeback for Rwanda but still a lot to do in the villages. We can't deny the poverty that still is very much alive in the villages and even in parts of Kigali. Tourists are visiting and money is being spent by the millions in Rwanda. The streets and country are safe and clean. I believe many governments felt guilty and many of us that became aware felt we had to do something. So we bought tickets and off to Rwanda to do service work and help the people that had suffered. We were able to give hope and strength to a country that had suffered beyond what most of us can comprehend. Yet out of our hearts and good conscience we were volunteers and servants to Rwanda.

What about the countries surrounding Rwanda?

Uganda in Civil war with rebel militias for the past 20 years, the main man destroying the lives of many in Northern Uganda, Joseph Kony. He has murdered thousands, raped and kept women as sex slaves, giving them to his soldiers as gifts. Abducted boys and forced them to kill their parents, then giving them drugs and alcohol to brainwash them so they are desensitized and made killers.

Burundi, one of the world's poorest nations, is emerging from a 12-year, ethnic-based civil war. Pierre Nkurunziza, a Hutu former rebel leader, became the first president to be chosen in democratic elections since the start of Burundi's civil war. A country of extreme poverty, and militias also demoralizing their countries people. The original inhabitants of Burundi were the Twa, a Pygmy people who now make up only 1% of the population. Today the population is divided between the Hutu (approximately 85%) and the Tutsi, approximately 14%. While the Hutu and Tutsi are considered to be two separate ethnic groups, scholars point out that they speak the same language, have a history of intermarriage, and share many cultural characteristics.

Traditionally, the differences between the two groups were occupational rather than ethnic. Many Burundis sneak into Rwanda as they can speak Kinyarwanda and seek refuge. Their country is in great despair. And much needed help. Why aren't we there helping? No Hollywood movie yet?

Democratic Republic of Congo known as the Congo. The DRC's president Joseph Kabila is corrupt and afraid. His father a man of integrity and democracy was assassinated and Joseph fears if he is like his father the same will happen to him. So he remains a spineless, thief and liar, while his country is deteriorating rapidly. One of the largest countries in Africa and known for it's great rich resources. Over 400 tribes and 400 languages. Their are over 50 rebel militia groups fighting each other. Attacking the villages at night and in the day now. Gang raping the women in front of their husbands and children as they watch and cry helplessly. Daughters and mothers taken into the forests some never to be seen again. Many return to the villages, they are traumatized. As they had rocks, rifles, sticks, razors on the sides of the sticks forced into their vagina's. Rifles have been put into a woman's vagina and the trigger pulled. They are unrapeable now, so of no use to the men. These traumatized women are sent back to their villages where they are ostracized by their families and the communities. Many are pregnant or have babies with them. This baby is their reminder of the pain and torture they experienced in the forests of the Congo. Now Joseph Kony from Uganda is in the Congo building an army in the North to strengthen his forces. Ndunka is a tutsi rebel and killer. He's very flamboyant and doesn't think twice about killing women, children, or the endangered Silverback Gorillas. These men and groups have been tormenting their people and stealing the natural rich resources. When will we feel guilty enough to reach out and help these countries? We did it for Rwanda, aren't these countries worth helping and in need of assistance. Why do we forget them? They need us, without us they will suffer torturous deaths and our hands are covered in their blood. Why? You are now aware of their existence. You can help change the lives of these women and children. We must begin the healing process for these women and children as a unified global community.

Let's not be ridden with guilt before we act. Together as a global effort we helped and rebuilt one country. We must believe that we can do this again. We have the resources and money. The United States will have more money once it stops the unnecessary wars that it has created by George Bush and Dick Cheney for Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy, and Pride.

This is my final entry on this journey and blog. More travels and blogs to come. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to read and look at the images. I hope you have been enlightened with awareness and compassion. May the great spirit of the universe keep you safe and give you all that you need.

With love and admiration for the people I have encountered in Africa. May you find peace and love for yourselves and your neighbor. I pray that this blog will give these people hope, they need it desperately!!!