Sunday mornings

I haven’t really talked about the genocide very much in this blog, because I rarely think of it as a main topic to share when there are so many promising indications that people are moving forward, especially organizations like Maranyundo!

However, it is an event that has permanently and deeply changed the country. Nyamata, where Maranyundo Girls’ School is located, was affected particularly harshly. Even before the genocide began in April 1994, Nyamata had been willfully and extremely impoverished by the anti-Tutsi government at the time and Tutsis were sent to the region with the expectation that many would die from malnutrition or Malaria. It is now notorious as one of the most horrifying massacre sites of the genocide. Many people around Rwanda went to their local places of worship expecting safety. But on April 11, 1994, almost every man, woman and child of the 10,000 in the church’s vicinity were killed. Ten thousand. An incomprehensible number.

For pictures of the memorial and more information, including quite disturbing witness accounts:

http://bachersblog.com/nyamata-catholic-church-genocide-memorial/

http://www.genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw/index.php?title=Nyamata

http://www.orwelltoday.com/bugeserachurch.shtml

http://www.orwelltoday.com/rwandainkotanyisurvivors.shtml

http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15325&a=65869

It would seem the community would be unable to recover from such a devastating loss but you mustn’t underestimate the Rwandan spirit.  They now use the old building as a memorial site and just across the dirt road is a beautiful sanctuary still under construction. This building is a powerful symbol for Nyamata and Rwanda as a whole and the community is determined to finish it, despite the lack of funds.

Every Sunday morning, the girls who wish to go to mass, walk to the sanctuary.  There is a rotating choir, so sometimes MGS students even lead the music.  Because the building is still under construction, I get to admire the resourcefulness demonstrated here.

Bottles were used in the floor as fillers 

They started planning for this building 15 years ago and building continues sporadically as funds come in.  For example, when I first arrived the floor was not complete, but it is very expensive to use actual concrete flooring as a base, so they used fillers, such as rocks and bottles to take up space. You had to watch out for this sticking out of the floor as you walked. 

However, just last week we had mass outside because they were working on the floors!

While I was visiting on a recent Wednesday, parishioners were working on the windows and painting.  Those who have no money to give, will instead donate their labour and time. I am astounded by how dedicated people are in completing this building. 

Often even the Rwandans who visit the church are amazed because the area is very poor, even by Rwandan standards.  Many religious services around the country are still held outside since the genocide, but it is clearly a priority in the community.  Even those who have no money to give, give what they have.

Their most pressing need right now, according to Father Emmanuel, are more benches.  They have three masses, but they are so full that people are often sitting shoulder to shoulder with no room to move.  Each bench costs 17,000 rfw which converts to about $25.   I am working with my church in the US to create a collection for the Nyamata Church and have set up this gofundme account for them to deposit the money when they have the collection in a few weeks. If anyone from the Maranyundo Initiative could find it in their hearts to donate even a little, I can guarantee it would go very far and make a huge different to the spirit of the community.

If you wish to donate please click here

This sanctuary is a place for the entire community to rally around as they heal from the genocide.  As I try to integrate into this wonderful place, it has become important to me too.  They honor these victims, not by forgetting, but by living to their potential.