A young Rwandan artist, Edouard Uwayo Bamporiki aged 27, says he will focus his work on ensuring that peace prevails in Rwanda using his natural gift as an artist.
In an exclusive interview he told igihe.com during the two-day unity and reconciliation lectures held at Lycée Notre-Dame de Cîteaux that: “I came to know this school last year when I was invited to give a lecture about unity and reconciliation to the youth.
“I was enticed by the students here, who showed much concern at knowing and getting involved in demonstrating the meaning of the words “peace, unity and reconciliation” to the rest of the youth.
“ I therefore decided to be visiting them annually, give such lectures and my own films, and award the best student to promote peace at the school.” Uwayo emphasized.
The event was organized by Bamporiki himself in partnership with the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) which was intended to award the best student at the school in promoting peace and unity.
The artist stressed that today Rwandans should be enthusiastic to heroism, and bring back the value of Rwandans.
“Let’s inherit our parents responsibility to reconstruct our nation for a brighter future instead promoting divisionism that cause the inhuman catastrophe that ended a million innocent Rwandans”
Lise-Vivian Rurangwa 18 years old at this girls’ school finished last year andis the only girl who was awarded for her great efforts and heroism in promoting unity and reconciliation.
In appreciation of the Award Rurangwa said: “I think I am given the award on behalf of my colleagues with whom we help activities at this school last year that were symbols of great heroism.
“The activities included composing poems and plays among others practically taught peace and unity to fellow students” she said amidst claps from the audience.
She stressed that to enlighten youth on reconciliation is much easier when the message is delivered through plays and poems and other activities.
Jean Batiste Habyalimana, the NURC’s Executive Secretary present also said; “We normally do sensitization in the youth to show them where the tragedy, the country has gone through.
“Many of them do not know about its history. We want them reconstruct the nation knowing well where it has come from because the youth are the only ones that hold the destiny of Rwanda” he emphasized.
The school’s Directress, Sister Helene Nayituriki said that their role is to empower these young people with knowledge, and show them how to live and to give them moral generosity on how to live with the rest in society both within and outside the school.
Nayituriki added: “In this week I decided to work with the NURC and Edouard to give them reconciliation lectures before they set off for holidays and we have done it for two days which I think will help them even in holidays.”
She challenged the Youth in general to study from the role model people, and learns constructive ideas that will help them cite the example of the awarded former student.
Isimbi Sandrine 18 years old, Head Girl at the school said there were positive recommendations on the lectures.
“Such discussions help us to create a clear focus in our minds because sometimes as young people we think in a childish way.
I think from such discussions we shall build our nation as expected,” she told igihe.com.
Magnifique Mukundwa aged 15, in senior 3 student noted; “What I have leant from Bamporiki’s film is that our parents who could have been involved in 1994 genocide should accept their faults and pledge forgiveness.”
Bamporiki is an Awardwinning Filmmaker, actor and poet who have received national and international attention for his stories of hope, unity and reconciliation.
He wrote, directed, acted and produced “Long Coat” film and others that include “Where the truth is storm is over” and acted “Munyurangabo Film
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