Rwanda, a changed world.
By David Smith
6 Nov 2009
When I visited Rwanda I didn't exactly know what to expect. I was there to shoot a documentary video project for an NGO. During his visit to the country, Pope John Paul II called Rwanda "The Land of 1000 Hills". That is so true, there is hardly a flat stretch of land in the most densely populated African country.
I was excited to visit the Mountain Gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, the same group from Diane Fossey's "Gorillas in the Mist". What an experience! Actually getting only a few feet away and having the gorillas totally comfortable with our presence (Well, I know the Silverback really didn't care to have us around but tolerated our presence none the less). There are approximately 655 Mountain Gorillas in the wilds of Rwanda, the DRC and Uganda. Volcanoes National Park is one of the most popular places to visit them. The animals have been devastated by civil war and poaching in the past. Ecotourism seems to be helping the gorillas and people. Part of the $500 entrance fee goes into community development for the human population of the region.
Everybody knows about the 1994 genocide. Over 800,000 Tutsis and pro-peace Hutus were killed by Hutu militias over a nearly 100 day period. Today there seems to be hope for a better future. The locals say "We are not Hutu, We are not Tutsi, WE are RWANDAN!"
One of the most touching days of my trip was when I visited Ntarama Church. Around 5000 people were killed in the village in one day. Many of the victims were hiding in the village church. The church is now a museum, displaying the skeletons and clothing of the victims.
This Mzungu (outsider) felt welcomed in this densely populated country. The people don't want to forget their past, they want to learn from it. There seems to be a new sense of pride and hope for the future. I can hardly wait to go back.
2 responses
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Graham Holliday said (7 Nov 2009):
Great photos here David - I highlighted them and linked back to you on kigaliwire
http://kigaliwire.com/2009/11/07/david-smith-at-volcanoes-national-park/
Hope that's OK... -
!~) Emelia Isaac said (11 Nov 2009):
a beautiful story. thanks for sharing. :)
