Kwibuka21

On a day like this,

21 years ago,

Rwanda needed super heroes. 

On a day like this,

21 years ago, 

Rwanda needed angels to fall from the skies.

On a day like this,

21 years ago, 

God needed to stop being a mystery…

work wonders against all odds…

And answer the question "why?". 

But instead on a day like this,

21 years ago,

Rwanda had no super heroes, 

A PLANE fell from the sky,

God didn’t work wonders 

and has never answered the question why.

So every year around this time,

We remember and we cry.

Days like this in April-

When others celebrate spring

I see my peoples eyes, tearing-

The fourth month of the year

is hard for my people to endure-

but you can be sure,

that we the youth, are the cure-

Babyeyi,We see your broken hearts

But through us,

we can mend them

We see your worried thoughts

But through us, 

you can put them  to rest

we know well it’s a challenge 

but we are ready 

to be put to the test.

Ready to write your stories in books

Ready to Facebook status the facts,

Ready to tweet and retweet the truth,

Ready to close shut, every open door

to genociders and deniers 

ready to be a youth 

that success itself ,

could show as proof.

Today we stand here

In hopes that through us,

You see a brighter future

In hopes that through us

You can build your hopes and dreams

In hopes that through us

You can instill your trust.

Today we hold hands with you as one

In the spirit of remembrance

In the spirit of perseverance 

But before we leave this stage-

We’d just like to thank you-

For teaching us to love one another-

No matter ethnicity, tribe or color-

We thank you for your lessons of unity-

We thank you for your lessons of dignity-

Babyeyi, Murakoze-

Turakomeza twibuke abacu 

bazize genocide, mu byuryo

bgo kwiyubaka,

Kwitezimbere-

Bayeyi , namwe mwese turi hano-

-Mukomere muri ibi bihe

Imana ibarinde! 

Murakoze.


By:Angel Uwamahoro