#Kwibuka 27
27 years ago during the Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda I was hiding with some members of my family, fearing for our lives as we were being hunted by the Interahamwe Militia.
Nearly a million people were killed, including my Dad, my sister, two of my grandparents, my aunties, uncles, cousins, the whole family of my God parents, family friends, childhood friends and many more. This poem that my children composed on my request is dedicated to all of those we lost during those terrible times.
I was one of the lucky few who survived, along with my mum, my two brothers & my sister who was outside Rwanda at the time.
The aftermath of the genocide was a nightmare , a dark time through which Poetry saved me. I didn’t know it then but I do know now.
Poetry is a tool I have been using since then to deal with difficult emotions for myself or support family, friends, colleagues going through difficult times. I use it mostly and often with my children who now are able to use it themselves.
In Commemoration events, I use Poetry to introduce this painful subject that has now shaped our lives, to my children and those of my friends who themselves are survivors.
In 2014 in Scotland Commemoration my Daughter Lainey who was 5 recited ” I light a Candle” a poem I composed for the children and they all recited together with her. She has since then with her sister been sharing poems in consecutive commemorations and also in Holocaust Memorial Day ( HMD) events in Scotland in 2019 in National event in Glasgow and 2020 online event respectively when they shared ” Children of Survivors” poem.
At the occasion of the 27th Kwibuka Commemoration against Tutsi in Rwanda on online event in Scotland held on Sunday 11 April 2021 both Lainey & Carmella recited a poem they composed themselves this time and shared with those who attended.
Their poem is called ” WE HAVE HOPE” below with the video I recorded today on 25th April to mark the end of a week that is full of difficult memories for myself and my family and pay tribute to the lives of those we love who were killed.
In this video, I see the healing power of poetry and its capacity to connect.
Here I am sharing their poem ” We have hope”
We Have Hope
Lainey: Bibles put down, weapons picked up
Thousands of people being set-up.
Lots of people hide
While trying to survive.
Lots of people bend down and kneel,
‘Cause this is starting to get real.
Justice is NOT done,
While trying to kill someone.
Carmella: 100 days later,
There is no need for a detonator.
When the sun rises,
There’s so much surprises.
Not all of them good,
But it’s a much better mood.
As families reunite,
Everything is finally right.
Lainey: At least, that’s what you would think,
But our family was gone in a blink.
Homes broken,Memories filled with pain,
But we have come out stronger, most don’t complain.
Still it’s hard, friendships broken apart,
But now it’s time to restart.
Will we be broken? I don’t know,
But no need to rush, let’s take it slow.
Lainey: A hand, an eye
A dad, a cry
The start of a brand new generation
Reciting poems at the commemoration
“We are the children of survivors” we all say
And we will try to brighten your day
Rwanda’s starting to mend
New wonders around the bend
We look back at what happened and we sigh
But look around and we say goodbye
Carmella: Goodbye to the pain and goodbye to the sorrow
Hello to a brand new world for tomorrow
Yes, the pain won’t go forever
And yes, we won’t see those people ever
But there is hope
We have hope
And whatever happens
No more cannons
Both: We. Have. Hope.
By Lainey and Carmella Rubayiza
The End
( Composed jointly in March 2021 recited on 11 April @ Kwibuka 27 event in Scotland)
Thank you
Marie-Claire (Lainey and Carmella’s mum)
