Representatives from global, African, and Rwandan hotel service organizations participated in the 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi on April 16, 2024.
Flora Nyiratsinda, the General Secretary of the Union of Workers in Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars (SYNHOREB), announced that they chose to take hotel staff to the Kigali Genocide Memorial so they could see and understand the true history of Rwanda.
She said, “Many hotel workers are young, and bringing them to the Genocide Memorial helps them learn about history that occurred before they were born. We want them to understand where the country faltered and how it recovered, which they had only heard about in words, but now they have seen and had it explained to them.”
“We encourage them to remember what happened and strive to preserve the achievements so that our Rwanda can continue to progress... each person, in their own capacity, should represent all Rwandans so that genocide never occurs again. We aim to cultivate love among young children, so they grow up without prejudices.”
Nyiratsinda mentioned that they are also expecting leaders from global hotel worker organizations to come and provide testimonies to those who deny the Genocide against the Tutsi.
“We hope that foreigners will also come to understand what happened in our country, confronting those who deny the genocide with firsthand testimonies.”
Jeffrey Boyd, the representative of hotel workers’ unions in food and agriculture worldwide, pointed out that the history of the Genocide against the Tutsi is horrifying, yet it is admirable how the country has rebuilt itself.
He stated, “It’s a sorrowful history but also remarkable because some chose to stand and fight for the country, striving for peace. It’s valuable to see the country taking time to remember the Genocide against the Tutsi, continuing to seek ways to rebuild, which is truly praiseworthy.”
He urged workers in these services to ensure that such a genocide never happens again anywhere in the world.
Innocent Uwitonze noted that the Genocide against the Tutsi was possible because it was supported by the then-government of Rwanda and its allies, but the RPA forces fought day and night to stop it.
The 30th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi began on April 7 and will last for 100 days.
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