Aaron Mukomeza walking home from the after the commemoration in Bisesero on April 7th 2014.

With the hills and lake Kivu as a backdrop, Aaron Mukomeza (the son of Aminadabu Birara, the chief of the civilian resistance against the genocide) can be seen leaving the  Bisesero Memorial after the day program was finished.

Aaron Mukomeza (left) walking home from the after the commemoration in Bisesero on April 7th 2014. 

The Rainy Season in Bisesero

On my visit on April 7th to Bisesero, the views were amazing and telling. It was fascinating to witness those spectacular views and simultaneously knowing I was there to meet people who are known to have greatly resisted the attackers during the genocide in Rwanda. The Rwandan flag is waving at the memorial while overlooking the hills and lake Kivu.

Lake Kivu and Congo (DRC) can be seen in the background from the Genocide memorial in Bisesero.

Getting Landmark ready...!

Not always easy to get things done on time... John wanted his new Tea room up and running by April 1st... It is open now- but there were lots to be done prior to open the doors to the public. Here are some of the builders getting the furniture ready. Not sure who had the winning argument here...!

Working under pressure at Landmark Tea room, Kabuga, Rwanda

John & Liberality "Libie"

Running the Tea room "Landmark" means long hours, every day. It is nice then to walk home and be greeted by Libie.

Libie greeting John at night

Landmark Tearoom

So, just a few days ago, Landmark opened. Landmark is the Tearoom that John runs in Kabuga, suburban Kigali. He had to relocate but is back in business, just off the high street. If you like Rwandan tea or want some other light bites, you should probably stop by sometime very soon!

The Landmark Tearoom was not up and running yet as I visited. Here is the view out on the street, just off the high street.

#rwanda #bisesero #genocide #neveragain #africa #photography #nikon #d810 #documentary #photojournalism #reportage #d4 #kigali #webster #kabuga

The children of Rwanda

The Generation of children in Rwanda counts for more then 50 % of the population. The past will not go away, but they face a whole range of possibilities. The project I am currently working on is focusing on this- how does the new generation deal with its past but stay positive about he the future?
On my last visit I visited this primary school and the children put on a great performance! More to come..

The new generation of Rwanda

"He did what he was told to do", he says.

As over a million people were brutally murdered, hundreds of thousands of men participated in the killings during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Raphaël tells me that "he did what he was told to do". His tools were a machette and a club. He has spent 12 years and six months in prison for what he did.

Raphaël

#genocide #storytelling #humanrights #photojournalism #documentary #potocari #july11 #20years #nikon #d4 #reportage #d810  #lifeaftergenocide #humanrights #postwar #rwanda #neveragain #africa #photography #d810 #d4 #kigali #webster #reverienrurangwa #nikonpro #bisesero #webster #rwandagenocide #april7 

Christian, Kigali April, 2014

The other day, on my last trip to Rwanda, I got the chance to meet Christian. He lives in Kigali with his sister, mother and aunt. He cannot work, did not finish secondary school, cannot spend too much time in the sun... In fact, there is not all that much he can do. All this is due the grenade splinters that got stuck inside his head. He was also cut in the head with machete. More to come on Christian.

Christian has had complicated surgery on his head in order to remove grenade splinters.

Children of Bisesero

Upon arriving in Bisesero, the children made sure we would be welcomed properly! Despite the sad reasons we went to Bisesero, the place had a warm feeling to it...

The kids of Bisesero, the future of Bisesero, made us feel very welcomed! 

7th of April 2014, Bisesero, Rwanda

Bisesero is a small community in the mountains, overlooking Lake Kivu, where more then 50000 people were killed. I am visiting with Serge Farnel and Bruno Boudiguet who have both published books on how the French military took part in the massacre that took place here during the genocide in 1994. More to come on this...

Inside the memorial in Bisesero, remains from more then 1500 bodies can be seen.
A further 50000 bodies have been prepared and and will be re-buried in the official
mass grave in June.

Serge farnel, Bisesero, Rwanda...

French journalist Serge Farnel presenting his book in Kigali, April 2014

Will be travelling with Serge Farnel and Bruno Boudiguet in Bisesero. Here is an article worth reading related to their book launch the other day in Kigali- obviously, pay attention to the photos too..

http://www.rnanews.com/component/content/article/1-latest/8440-serge-farnel-lmon-livre-doit-se-trouver-la-ou-est-susceptible-detre-initiee-une-procedurer

Carpenter at work in Kabuga, Kigali

John is starting a new tearoom. He had to relocate and have found a new location just a few minutes from the previous tea room. I am certain his spirit and enthusiasm will make this another success! The opening should be at some point next week, in the meantime, he has had some carpenters adjust his furniture to make it fit into this smaller space.

Carpenter at work in John's new tea room.

The Land of 1000 Hills

Overlooking the city of Kigali from Mount Rebero, it is pretty amazing to see this never ending view of 1000's of hills... People of Rwanda says: "God roams the world but comes to rest in Rwanda".

View from Mount Rebero, on top of Kigali