Africa-Press – Rwanda. As part of the 31st Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, staff from Fitnesspoint, a local fitness and wellness centre, visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial on April 18 to pay tribute to the victims.
During their visit to the memorial site in Gisozi, where over 250,000 victims are laid to rest, the team took part in a guided tour that offered a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history before, during, and after the Genocide.
The experience served as a powerful moment of reflection and education, allowing staff members, some of whom lost parents, siblings, and extended family during the Genocide, to honour their loved ones and strengthen their commitment to remembrance, unity, and peace.
Olivier Grinner Muvunyi, Managing Director and co-founder of Fitnesspoint, said the visit was deeply personal and necessary for the team, especially as Rwandans committed to the journey of remembrance and reconciliation.
He emphasised the importance of educating future generations about the Genocide against the Tutsi, especially in light of growing denial from some parts of the world.
“We still have a long way to go, especially to insure that our youth, young and future generations learn about this, especially now that we see a lot more denial from some of the western countries.”
Speaking from personal experience, Muvunyi recalled the loss of his mother weeks before the Genocide began, something that remains etched in his memory.
He said, “My mother was killed in broad daylight on February 22, 1994, and nothing was done to stop it or to hold the Interahamwe accountable. As a small child, helpless, I could only watch as she screamed and all I could do was cry like never before.”
Reflecting on the visit, Muvunyi said, “This was the first time I felt something inside me wanting to come out. I’ve never shared my story before. I didn’t expect to feel so emotional after all these years,” he said.
“For the past four years, I avoided visiting the memorial because of how personal and emotional it is for me. But I believe that one day, I will be ready to share everything and speak it out loud.
“I believe I was just turning 11 years old, but I still have every single memory of how everything went. But I live to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”
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