Kigali

Nyinawabagesera Amandine wants to share some of her life stories, both good and bad, with her friend Uwimana Jean Claude so that he can learn from her example. After being orphaned by the genocide, Nyinawabagesera Amandine risked going to school without supplies. There, she overcame many challenges associated with depression, drugs, and alcohol through the support of friends and her faith. Nyinawabagesera Amandine says she is inspired by the people around her and resolves to help other orphans like herself who have almost lost all hope.

Vianney snuck out of Rwanda to Burundi by crawling through forest surrounded by an army. He had a plan to join the forces that were fighting the genocide. When he got to Burundi, he forgot this plan and spent his time replenishing with food that had been donated to the refugee camp where he lived. He got his wakeup call when he was visited by a man he would never forget. The legacy he hopes to leave with his brother is that of a nation that rebuilds its cultural institutions and relies on its youth to think like heroes.

Gahongaire Emelda decided to become a pastor after witnessing the love for God that her grandfather had. After the genocide, she decided to serve God by helping orphans, and she adopted Manirakiza Jean de Dieu, who she considers to be her own son. Manirakiza Jean de Dieu has many important questions about the causes of the genocide, and Gahongaire Emelda patiently answers him and gives him advice. She tells him that the most important thing is to love God and fight against anything that could lead to genocide again.

Nyirambarushimana Devote takes this opportunity to give her daughter, Uwimana Grace advice, for she wants Grace to live a better life than she did. She says that the most important thing is to work hard and to always cooperate with others. Nyirambarushimana Devote emphasizes that if you work well with others you can achieve much more than if you work only by yourself. Uwimana Grace is thankful for this advice, and she offers to help her mother to support the family.

Kajuga Augustin, born in 1939, has much to tell Nkurikiyimana Ignace about Rwanda before colonialism: the history of kings and how power was transferred from one to another, how young people were treated differently by their mothers versus their fathers, and how they were joined in marriage. He recounts how some practices are thankfully outdated, like drowning unmarried, pregnant women, while some celebrate values that are still positive, such as respect and cooperation.