Kigali Memorial

Well you guys like i thought i did spell the name wrong its actually Mukiza not Makiza.
Yesterday was a tough day for all of us. Mukiza and Gilbert meet us for breakfest and told us a bit about what we were about to see. Already I could feel my emotions bubbling. When we arrived at the memorial I was shocked at what i saw, at first all u saw was the facts then you got into the graphic parts. I couldn't bare watch the scars people had or the missing parts they had in there bodies it was so painful to watch. There was also documentaries of people that survived the genocide who watched there families being murdered which was hard to listen to. They had bones of children on display which i walked right past because i just couldn't take it. The thing that hurt me the most which they left for last was the story of the innocent kids that were murdered babies were slammed on walls and were sliced with machete's. There was this on child who's story hurt me the most which was about this little boy who's last words was "mum where should i hide." and then got shot in the head. I don't understand how someone could have the heart to kill a innocent child, they didn't even know what was happening. Even writing about this is making me cry you really have to see this to understand how painful it is to watch. Mukiza and Gilbert are strong guys they went with us to re-live that moment in there lives. They actually held up better than i did. I am amazed at how strong they are. They were actually checking in on us to make sure we were alright. I know it was hard for them to be there. Mukiza actually had family members buried on that site which he showed me. I couldn't even bare to look at them until we felt because i felt so guilty that no one helped them out. The world just sat there and let this happen to them. I still feel guilty , I feel guilty that they had to see that again although i know they were happy we went so we could have a visual of what really happened to them a,d what they went through because all we heard was stories. People in the world need to open up there eyes to this kind of things and prevent them from happening, and if they do happen they need to help these people out. They need a lot of help but there pride doesn't allow them to ask for it. There are so proud of themselves which makes me feel so bad and selfish when I complain about simple things at home, while they in the other hand only have one meal a day and sometimes don't eat for days and still have a smile on there faces.

After the memorial we went to this concert called the Pan African Dance festival. There at least 400 artists from over 30 international dance companies performing. It was so amazing the stage was so pretty and guess what, it was made out of dirt and if I'm correct bamboo parts. This made me wonder how in New York we spend all this money on stadiums which we shouldn't have to and here they make theres out of what they have which I'm sure didn't cost much but its still so pretty. All that money New York spends could be used for better things, like to help people in need like here. At the concert i also noticed before anything went on they played the national anthem and everyone just stopped, stood without moving anywhere until it was over. They also played music from church giving thanks to god before beginning. I felt good being there because Gilbert and Mukiza were so great full for being able to show us what makes them happy, and after a day like what we had that was the icing. When we were leaving i felt bad because we only had had on meal that day which made me wonder if there were going to eat again when they got home. I cant sleep at night knowing that these survivors these innocent people are suffering and not getting good water or food . I don't understand how the rest of the world could sleep knowing this. These people need help and some one has to give it to them.
As they say in there language murakoze mirwe meaning thank you and good evening.

The one and only Maria