Field Report :Twelve Years after the Massacre
The Rwanda Project

Aisa Saito
School of Education, 3rd year

Aisa interviewing former soldiers who had lost use of a hand in battle.

The first field activity of the “Rwanda Project”, an ongoing project conducted by WAVOC, took place during this spring holiday from February 24 to March 12. With the help of JICA (Japan International Corporation Agency) and the local NGO, I observed support activities, interviewed citizens, went to the social rehabilitation center for retired soldiers and child soldiers, and met with many local NGO members.

After I graduated from high school, I aimed to work as a fashion journalist and went to Paris. From what I experienced there, I took an interest in human rights issues which led me to what I am doing today. I decided to participate in the project because the official language of Rwanda was French and I had an interest in International Cooperation.

Although many problems remain to be solved, Rwanda is said to be a successful example of reconciliation. On an individual level, even if a neighbor was the very person that killed their family, the survivors have to get along with that neighbor just as before. The victims forgive the perpetrators and sometimes share their food. They say they are doing it because they want to work for reconciliation and peace making, even though it is a small step.

I heard a man say in front of his former enemy, “We were once enemies, but now we're all Rwandans.” I was surprised at the strength of their conviction and felt respect for the strength of the human spirit.

For all these positive aspects, the deep scars of genocide still remain. As with any war, once it ends, the media stop reporting about it and people begin to lose interest. However, the citizens and the country that experienced the war continue to suffer the after-effects. I became friends with a university girl who was infected with AIDS after being repeatedly raped during the genocide. For her, life will never be the same again. In addition, there are still unresolved disagreements between tribes. I don't want to ever lose sight of this dreadful reality. Instead, I wan to keep looking for ways I can be of help.

Aisa with local NGO members supporting self-reliance of people with AIDS.