|
I was born in Jerusalem a
decade after the Holocaust.
I grew up with Israel and its
straggle to evolve, develop and survive.
A decade ago, I was fortunate
enough to have already spent, third of my life - traveling all around the globe
(including, post-war Cambodia, Somalia and southern Sudan).
When I was sent to Rwanda -- as a television and
radio journalist, a few weeks into the killings -- I was stricken by the beauty,
the greenery and the good fortune of the Land.
I could not believe it was
absolutely - empty. One of the world's most populated countries stood totally
empty, like a huge green lush ghost-town.
I have
followed Rwanda since, very much astonished by its achievements. Every visit I paid to Rwanda, sometimes
twice a year through the past decade, I am more astonished, more surprised
and
more hopeful - by and for the new Rwanda.
Out of the horrors of the
Genocide, an unbelievable good is emerging. Rwanda is a world leader today:
·
Rwanda has taken reconciliation and justice to a place that
shades Europe, the Americas, SE Asia, and other places in Africa - altogether.
·
Rwanda is implementing economic growth and social rebuilding that
equal if not bypasses my own homeland - Israel.
·
There are almost no
orphanages in a country still having over half a million kids and teens with no
parents.
·
Since last summer,
Rwanda is leading the world with the largest number of women
representatives in its Parliament.
Rwanda has taken
responsibility and is showcasing itself to the whole world. The same world that
betrayed Rwanda twice:
First, when not preventing,
then not trying to stop - this huge crime against humanity. Then, aiding and
still sheltering the Genocide masterminds and their associates.
Second, by
abandoning Rwanda once again: leaving her to straggle alone with eliminating
the forces of Evil terrorizing the Genocide survivors, while facing the
unbelievable task of healing the nation, and at the same time, absorbing over
two million refugees (a few weeks after the Genocide, and
a couple of years later),
yet, there was no and there is not one single refugee camp in Rwanda.
Lets only hope and pray, the
new Rwanda will continue to have the wisdom needed - to not let down its own
people - ever again.
|
