Category: People

Issa Hassan Sessay is serving a 52 year prison sentence for war crimes and crimes against humanity he committed in Sierra Leone.

Sessay was transferred to complete his sentence in Rwanda’s Mpanga International Prison Facility.

However, Sessay complains that he is not satisfied with the quality of service offered to him at the prison especially saying he is served poor meals.

Recently he interucted with Ugandan students from Makerere University who visited Mpanga International prison after visiting Butare Prison in the southern province of Rwanda.

The students were conducting research on among other things, the lives of prisoners in Rwanda.

Sessay told the Ugandan students, “ iam imprisoned on many counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes. I will spend 52years in this prison. However, I don’t know whether UN knows the kind of life am living here”.

He added, “Iam living a better life than those who committed crimes in the first world war. The Rwandan prison wardens are respectiful all the time.”

However, Sessay complains that he is served incomplete meals. For example on 9th April, I was served milk, fried beans,bread. I was not given an egg yet iam supposed to have one everyday.

On 12 April they told me that I would find a good meal accompanied by good water but instead I was served Coca-Cola. The prison exxergerates a lot, the promise me salad but later serve me just a small portion.

Everyday they give me a book to sign indicating whether I have been served the desired meal.

Sessay told the students that he is now tired of daily eggs served to him, daily beef and roasted G-nuts.

He also complained about being denied to make telephone calls to his wife on Sunday saying he is only allowed access to such calls for six days of the week.

Why do the prison authorities give me Newspapers from East Africa and not West Africa? They give me; East African, Daily Nation, Daily Monitor, New Vision and Nouvelle Époque.

A pregnant but dead woman from Michigan who was declared dead on march 6 and her body kept alive on a respirator has given birth to twins.

Christine Bolden 26, died after suffering a brain aneurysm. She collapsed on March 1 while walking in Grand Rapids with her boyfriend and three-year-old son.

Five days later she was pronounced brain-dead by doctors.

However, almost a month later she has given birth to twins by C-section after being kept on life support.

Bolden had chosen names for the twins Nicholas and Alexander -before she collapse on April 5 after a 25-week pregnancy. She also has an 11-year-old son,

Her life support was turned off shortly afterward. The premature twins weighed less than 0.9Kgs each and are being kept in isolation.

Bolden’s aunt, Danielle Bolden, said that after learning of her condition, the family prayed for the children to survive.

“We used to rub on her belly and talk to the babies,” she said. “It was an impossible mix of emotions, knowing that once the babies were born that was the end of her.

“God could have taken her and the boys, but He left the boys. That’s a miracle.”

Dr. Cosmas Vandeven, who specializes in high-risk pregnancies at University of Michigan hospital, said Bolden’s case was exceptional.

“Almost every parent would give their life for their child,” Vandeven said. “But you need to get truly independent opinions: Are we sure we’re not causing harm to the mom?”.

He said 70% of babies born at 25 weeks survive but the risk for long-term health problems was high.

“We certainly hope they make it, but at this time they’re too young to make a confident prognosis,” he added.

Source: windsorstar

Two young women that were born during the Genocide have talked to IGIHE about their lives before and after the genocide and their thoughts on this year’s theme for the commemoration period: Learning from our past; building our future.

Solange Muhoza was born in Rwanda, She was just an infant when the genocide begun and now has no family left apart from her Grandmother who suffers from severe post-traumatic stress and who has never left Rwanda.

After years of living in what she remembers as one of the most violent places on earth, She says she doesn’t want to remember about the past “Please don’t ask me about it,” she says, “I will never be able to think about that”.

“I see things are better in Rwanda and now I can see that it’s true,” she says. “I don’t worry about war now. All I care about is studying and helping my grandmother.”

As the genocide ended, Muhoza’s family was lost. She was rescued by soldiers of the RPF that helped her reunite with her Grandmother. Now, Muhoza is the head of her family with her Grandmother where she takes care of the farm.

In a small, square, brick house that was built by a government program for survivors of the genocide.

Claire Kwizera knows little of the Rwandan genocide for she and much of her family fled to the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo during the genocide when she was just three years old.

Kwizera still has both of her parents and says her family was spared from the violence of the genocide because they fled before the violence broke out.

She is in her second year of university studying human sciences at the University of Pretoria in South Africa.

“I know I wasn’t here during the genocide through there commemorations, we learn a lot” she says, “and I feel like I can help others like me in teaching them about the genocide and how we can prevent this from happening elsewhere”.

“Rwanda is known for being one of the best places on earth now” she says “for its beauty, people and security, how amazing that is,” she states, “I would like to be a part of its future even if I wasn’t there for its past”.

After 19 years of separation, John and Cynthia, (they wanted to publish first names only), who have loved each other during their time in exile in Burundi, and reunited curiously, their love was so real they want soon give to each other for better or worse and for life.

It is never believed that people can love for so long, but after these two people, this is indeed a reality, a deep and sincere love.

John revealed this information while he celebrated his birthday on Tuesday, March 27, at a feast in front of all his guests.

The reporter of IGIHE wanted to ascertain the truth about this new home and the couple said that the flame of their love, despite 19 years of separation, never extinguished.

This love, they said, will lead to marriage. They are ready to get married shortly as they have indicated.

John noted that it is God’s will because he did not know if his sweetheart was still alive especially since there had been no communication or by mail since the date of their separation in 1993.

His lover travelled to Zambia across Lake Tanganyika. She later moved to Zaire and finally Sweden before returning home 2011.

Cynthia, meanwhile, said that after a long stay in out of the country she’s all happy to see her boyfriend always healthy and he loves me like it was the first day we met.

John said “Me too, I still love her and I think it’s stronger than before”, for all her affections towards me which she never ceases to show me every day.

This couple confirms that the secret of their love lies in a firm trust in God. John and Cynthia live in Kigali and are ready to show their love to anyone who will listen.

That love endures and leads to marriage, with the helping hand of Jesus, no doubt they will get there in the near future as they wish according to their own words.

Patrick Ngyirinshuti 26 and Didier Ndasenga have been in love for five years and are planning to wed very soon as a way of celebrating their commitment and looking forward to living a better life as a couple.

They told IGIHE that they are normal and happily in love as any other ordinary couple. They love each other and want to get married.

They currently cohabit at Kacyiru. Ngyirinshuti works at a restaurant at Kacyiru during the morning’s till 5pm after which he retires home to wait for his lover Ndasenga.

Subject to provision of the Rwandan constitution of 2003, Article 26 states, “Only civil monogamous marriage between a man and a woman is recognised. No person may be married without his or her free consent. Parties to a marriage have equal rights and duties upon and during the subsistence of a marriage and at the time of divorce. The law determines conditions, forms and effect of marriage”.

IGIHE inquired from the couple to recount on their encounter that led to building an intimate relationship in a society with a conservative outlook.

Ngyirinshuti tried to have intimate relationships with ladies whom he had been flirting with. However, he says that while he attempted sexual intercourse with them, he failed to get aroused the same way he does when he is with men. He realized that he was a homosexual.

Though Ngyirinshuti knew he was a homosexual, he was frightened at how people would treat him. He was afraid of stigmatization and physical abuse, which he experienced due to harsh conditions that forced him into prostitution.

“I was 20 when I realized that I was attracted to fellow men. I was forced to live by myself. My family is too conservative. They would not accommodate my lifestyle at home,” he said.

With nothing to support himself he joined prostitution at night clubs such as KBC, Cadillac and many local pubs at Nyamirambo where he claims are many gay people both male and female.

He notes that while in prostitution on the streets he experienced; violence, sympathy from others, but mostly mockery. Ndasenga and Ngyirinshuti met at the pub where Ndasenga works while he was looking for clients. Ndasenga is a bartender at a local pub at Nymirambo.

His dream though is to become a famous fashion designer.

Ndasenga had been attracted to Ngyirinshuti whom he knew would always pass by during evening hours. “I had seen him many times. I was very attracted to him and loved his bold fashion sense but was too shy to approach him. He didn’t seem interested in a relationship, only money, but I wanted to be with him, I wanted him to leave prostitution.”

After a few encounters with each other, Ndasenga took charge and asked Ngyirinshuti out for a date, “After that I stopped selling myself because Ndasenga proposed to me. I had found someone that loves me for who I am. So I was in love”.

The two moved into the same house. Ndasenga helped his partner get a job at the shop he is currently working at. “He is like the husband and I am the wife, but it doesn’t bother me I actually prefer it like this”.

Ndasenga plays the role of the man; he buys Ngyirinshuti clothes, takes him for pedicures, romantic dinners, and pays for his meals. He refers to his lover as “umugore wange” (My Wife). He proposed on one knee in front of all their friends last year on Valentine’s Day at their favorite spot called “Spectra” located in Nyamirambo.

“Ndasenga likes to be in charge of everything, even when it comes to sex” says Ngyirinshuti openly, he adds that they made a promise to each other to stay safe, they always use condoms when having sex, “ I always tell Ngyirinshuti that because of his past encounters we should always be careful.”

They go to clinics every two months for check ups’, “we are very sexually active” admits Ndasenga “I can’t help it because I find Ngyirinshuti very sexually attractive, especially when he wears tight jeans”.

“We have many friends who don’t treat us any different than anyone else, lesbians and gay friends as well and not only in Rwanda, but also in Uganda and Burundi, even those who are straight and they have all agreed to chip in so that me and Ngyirinshuti can have a nice but simple wedding in South Africa,”stated Ndasenga.

Ngyirinshuti and Ndasenga have been together for four years and say they are saving money for the trip to South Africa to get married, right now they have saved up to 1000dollars.“It would have been great if we could get married in Rwanda but we are also realistic” he laughs.

Ngyirinshuti added, “In the beginning, of course, it was very challenging. We experienced what all couples go through, jealously; fear of abandonment. But after Ndasenga proposed I knew he was the one for me for the rest of my life.”

“We kiss in public and don’t care what people would say. “People surrounded us and wanted to bring in the media but I wasn’t threatened”, “Now look am talking to the media anyway so what was I supposed to be afraid of, am gay so what,” Ngyirinshuti said.

They plan to travel to South Africa where they will be just them and two of the witnesses; they will both wear white suits and red ties and get married in a small chapel where they will later stay for their honeymoon. When they return from their honeymoon, Ndasenga will start his lifelong dream of being a fashion designer in Rwanda.

Relationship is a mystery. And because it exists between two persons, it depends on both. Whenever two persons meet, a new world is created. Just by their meeting, a new phenomenon comes into existence -which was not before, which never existed before.

Through that new phenomenon, both persons are changed and transformed. Unrelated, you are one thing; related, immediately you become something else. A new thing has happened. A woman when she becomes a lover is no longer the same woman.

A man, when he becomes a father is no longer the same man. A child is born, but we miss one point completely; the moment the child is born, the mother is also born. This never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother never. And a mother is something absolutely new.

Relationship is created by you, but then, in its turn, relationship creates you. Two persons meet, that means two worlds meet. It is not a simple thing but very complex, the most complex.

Each person is a world unto himself or herself, a complex mystery with a long past and an eternal future. In the beginning only peripheries meet. But if the relationship grows intimate, becomes closer, becomes deeper, then by and by centers start meeting. When centers meet, it is called love.

When peripheries meet, it is acquaintance. You touch the person from the without, just from the boundary, then it is acquaintance. Many times you start calling your acquaintance your love. Then you are in a fallacy. Acquaintance is not love.

Love is very rare. To meet a person at his center is to pass through a revolution yourself, because if you want to meet a person at his center, you will have to allow that person to reach to your center also. You will have to become vulnerable, absolutely vulnerable, open. It is risky.

To allow somebody to reach your center is risky, dangerous, because you never know what that person will do to you. And once all your secrets are known, once your hiddenness has become unhidden, once you are exposed completely, what that other person will do, you never know. The fear is there. That’s why we never open.

Just acquaintance, and we think that love has happened. Peripheries meet, and we think we have met. You are not your periphery. Really, the periphery is the boundary where you end, just the fencing around you. It is not you! The periphery is the place where you end and the world begins.

Even husbands and wives who may have lived together for many years may be just acquaintances. They may not have known each other. And the more you live with someone, the more you forget completely that the centers have remained unknown.

So the first thing to be understood is: don’t take acquaintance as love. You may be making love, you may be sexually related, but sex is also peripheral. Unless centers meet, sex is just a meeting of two bodies. And a meeting of two bodies is not your meeting. Sex also remains acquaintance –physical, bodily, but still acquaintance. You can allow somebody to enter to your center only when you are not afraid, when you are not fearful. So I say to you that there are two types of living. One: fear-oriented; one: love-oriented.

Fear-oriented living can never lead you into deep relationship. You remain afraid, and the other cannot be allowed, cannot be allowed to penetrate you to your very core. To an extent you allow the other and then the wall comes and everything stops. The love-oriented person is the religious person.

The love-oriented person means one who is not afraid of the future, one who is not afraid of the result and the consequence, who lives here and now. Don’t be bothered about the result. That is the fear-oriented mind. Don’t think about what will happen out of it.

Just be here, and act totally. Don’t calculate. A fear-oriented man is always calculating, planning, arranging, safeguarding. His whole life is lost in this way.

I have heard about an old Zen monk. He was on his deathbed. The last day had come, and he declared that that evening he would be no more. So followers, disciples, friends started coming. He had many lovers. They all started coming. From far and wide people gathered. One of his old disciples, when he heard that the master was going to die, ran to the market.

Somebody asked: The master is dying in his hut, why are you going to the market?

The old disciple said: I know that my master loves a particular type of cake, so Iam going to purchase the cake.

It was difficult to find the cake, because now it had gone out of fashion, but by the evening somehow he managed. He came running with the cake. And everybody was worried — it was as if the master was waiting for someone. He would open his eyes and look, and close his eyes again.

And when this disciple came, he said: Okay, so you have come. Where is the cake? The disciple produced the cake — and he was very happy that the master asked about the cake. Dying, the master took the cake in his hand, but his hand was not trembling. He was very old, but his hand was not trembling. So somebody asked: You are so old and just on the verge of dying. The last breath is soon to leave you, but your hand is not trembling.

The master said: I never tremble, because there is no fear. My body has become old, but I am still young, and I will remain young even when the body is gone. Then he took a bite, started munching the cake. And then somebody asked: What is your last message, Master? You will be leaving us soon. What do you want us to remember?

The master smiled and said: Ah, this cake is delicious.

This is a man who lives in the here and now: This cake is delicious. Even death is irrelevant. The next moment is meaningless. THIS moment this cake is delicious. If you can be in this moment, this present moment, this presentness, the plenitude, then only can you love.

Love is a rare flowering. It happens only sometimes. Millions and millions of people live in the false attitude that they are lovers. They believe that they love, but that is their belief only. Love is a rare flowering. Sometimes it happens. It is rare because it can happen only when there is no fear, never before. That means love can happen only to a very deeply spiritual, religious person. Sex is possible for all.

Acquaintance is possible for all. Not love. When you are not afraid, then there is nothing to hide, then you can be open, then you can withdraw all boundaries. And then you can invite the other to penetrate you to the very core.

And remember, if you allow somebody to penetrate you deeply, the other will allow you to penetrate into himself or herself, because when you allow somebody to penetrate you, trust is created. When you are not afraid, the other becomes fearless. In your love, fear is always there.

The husband is afraid of the wife, the wife is afraid of the husband. Lovers are always afraid. Then it is not love. Then it is just an arrangement of two fearful persons depending on each other, fighting, exploiting, manipulating, controlling, dominating, possessing — but it is not love.

If you can allow love to happen, there is no need for prayer, there is no need for meditation, there is no need for any church, any temple. You can completely forget God if you can love — because through love, everything will have happened to you: meditation, prayer, God.

EVERYTHING will have happened to you. That’s what Jesus means when he says: Love is God. But love is difficult. Fear has to be dropped. And this is the strange thing, that you are so afraid and you have nothing to lose.

An American Tourist Lauren Brom visiting Rwanda was today robbed by a motorist pretending to be a cab driver.

Brom arrived this afternoon in Rwanda by Bus from Nairobi Kenya. After reaching Nyabugogo bus terminal, she sought service of a cab driver but wasn’t aware of how genuine cabs look like.

Brom said the driver spoke good English and thus trusted him to deliver her to a hotel.

The runaway driver quietly approached her and asked her where she was going in English. She gladly entered his vehicle and placed all her bags in the back seat and sat in the co-drivers seat.

She wanted to be delivered to Kacyiru residential apartments which she had pre booked on line before she arrival.

Brom narrated to IGIHE.com that when they reached a narrow road that had no houses or roads branching off, She noticed the driver locking the doors with the child safety switch but was convinced it was just safety manners until he put his hand in his left pocket and pulled out a Swiss army knife.

She panicked asking the driver where they were and what he was going to do to her when all of a sudden he swerved the car and parked on the side of the road.

The driver told her to not to try anything funny or he would hurt her but if she just gave him all her money and get out of the car she won’t be harmed, he took her money and threatened to find her if she was to report it to the cops.

Brom said she was simply glad to get out alive that she quickly gave him the money and left the car, in her haste to get out of the car she left her belongings in the back and simply went with her empty purse and her passport.

She said she only remembers the driver was wearing a cap and his car was white but had no orange lining that she didn’t know represented taxi cabs.

She was helped by area residents that escorted her to a proper cab. Brom reached her apartments where the staff helped her locate a western union branch where she sent for more cash.

Brom says she hasn’t been fazed by this episode since her experience in Kenya has taught her a few things about African robbery. She will still use taxis but only those she knows are official cab drivers.

Residents of Kimicanga suburb are angry at their eviction with only two days remaining to have the area secured. Locals are literally collecting their belongings including; bricks and roofing materials from structures they have always known as home.

The residents who have resided in the affected houses are outraged at the manner in which local officials as well as landlords have begun demolishing the houses while residents are still inside.

The area comprised of restaurants, shops homes and all sorts of livelihood facets. The emotional attachment to the place seems strong at the moment but the decision has already been made.

Some residents who have been renting in the suburb have been left stranded as their landlords have literally begun taking down the houses.

Peter Shimimana a resident of Kimicanga has been renting in the area says he is troubled to find a place to go in just two days.

“I have nowhere to go, this house only cost me 40,000rwf.other places are too expensive. I don’t know where to find money in just two days.”

By last night demolition was ongoing in the area while residents were still occupying the houses. The House proprietors have begun removing bricks, windows, and all valuable items.

Several residents claim they are now homeless while others will return to their villages.

Agnes karuranga a widow,owned houses at Kimicanga with her five children, and grandchildren all in the same house. She has lived at Kinamba for over 35 years; her family depended on money from the houses that she had rented out for several years.

Karuranga told IGIHE.com that the money the government has given her as compensation for her houses is what she will use to build a new house. But She says the biggest problem is that her family has been deprived of a source of regular income.

Beatrice Isenga owner of a small resturant already demolished said this is the third time she is moving due to land expropriation and that everytime she moves it gets harder and harder for her to make her business work.she has no husband but only a schooling daughter.

“I have no idea whether my business will thrive again. I have to start afresh. Places like Kimicanga have been helpful to small businesses like mine because the clients are also low income earners”.

Local Officials and landlords have said that the people were given sufficient time and notice as stated by the law; last month was the official eviction announcement and all the people have been fairly compensated.

Those who have any official complaint should contact authorities at the national land center.

Today a bizarre but true story happened in the morning hours at Remera trading center when a lady only identified as Mahoro Louise was stripped off her Jeans trousers and left half nude in knickers. This prompted onlookers to hurl insults at the naked lady that had been thought to be insane.

A motorcycle taxi operator a.k.a Plazo who witnessed the drama narrated to IGIHE.com. Plazo had parked at the stage when two girls emerged while struggling with each other.

Suddenly one of the girls started undressing her jeans and was left with only light blue knickers as the other girl simply watched and then confidently walked away with Mahoro’s trousers without looking behind.

This attracted a huge crowd that stopped and stared at the naked girl as though she was crazy. Onlookers waited to see what would happen next.

“I was so shocked that I didn’t even realize that she was calling me, I rushed over, after talking to her I realised she was sane and immediately offered her my vest to help her cover her naked body. People hurled obscenities at Mahoro.

Mahoro claimed that her friend falsely accused her of kissing her boyfriend in their house. The friend later chaced her out of the house upto the streets and she forced her forced her to strip the Jeans that she had borrowed from her.

This left Mahoro nude in public. Mahoro later jumped onto a motorcycle taxi in her underwear and sped off.

Mahoro says she was innocently mistreated in public by her friend she had always thought was a good person only to humiliate her. Mahoro lives at Gikondo and her friend Juliet is resident at Remera just behind Alpha Palace.

Juliet had invited Mahoro to spend the night at her place as she does often.

Several members of Rwandan Diaspora who have returned home are inspired by the country’s progress and say Rwanda is at its best. They want to stay and help rebuild their country with skills acquired abroad.

Others disagree and have remained static on their decision to reside in foreign countries instead.

Adopted at the age of six by a Belgian who was residing in Rwanda before the genocide, 26 year old Rwandan born Anita Durand told IGIHE.com she prefers to live abroad than in Rwanda.

Durand is a Public Relations professional, this year she visited to experience Rwanda.

Durand has spent three months in Rwanda working in collaboration with a fashion designer in Belgium who is hoping to promote her work in different parts of Africa, “the Fashion business could be a great boost in Rwanda’s economy but it hasn’t yet been exploited. This makes it harder for me to do my job to my full potential.”

Her challenges while in Rwanda include the high cost of transport and other living expenses, “I find it hard for me to live in Rwanda on the budget I am given”. She explains that living in Belgium pays more in her profession. Transportation costs take up a bare minimum compared to Rwanda’s 60% of her salary goes to transportation.

Durand has been living with a friend in Rwanda after realising that if she had stayed alone it would be very expensive- three times higher.

”I hope you understand why it’s hard for me choosing to stay in Rwanda”. Durand leaves Rwanda next week “I believe that I will be back, this is my home, just only when I have a full package that could support me.”

Joanna Bridges, 31 is married and a mother of one. She came to Rwanda from the United States after her daughter turned one, “I wouldn’t understand anyone who would want to leave Rwanda after they came, I haven’t been here longer but I am certain I want to stay.”

Bridges and her husband have invested in real estate business have decided that they will buy land in the district of Muhazi near the presidential residence, near the lake, where they will spend their vacations when visiting Rwanda until the time they retire.

“Right now we are transitioning from our present professions, but when that is done life here will be so much simpler”.

Bridges say’s the reason they are so eager to return is because during their short visit, they have witnessed the incredible opportunities Rwanda is offering, “The time is now, I believe that my family could make ourselves wealthy and live a life that would have taken us years to achieve in the US.”

Apart from the job opportunities, the financial benefits or downfalls, and the country’s economic growth that is inspiring millions to invest in Rwanda, there are also issues about the social and cultural changes that have occurred in Rwanda and the Diaspora have had their say about this too.

Brian Gatete, is a youth of the Diaspora recently visiting from England to see his family as well as conduct a survey for his future projects.

After five years of life in Europe, he feels that Rwanda still lacks in the development of the social life line. “We are focused on the economic growth and yet many of the enterprises that would increase income are being taken as small business projects”.

Gatete wants to return to Rwanda to open up the first major fast food chain similar to McDonalds, he say that those which have already opened are really small, far for some and never really open 24 hours like they claim. Food is on high demand in Rwandan.

I have meet so many people who tell me the one reason they can’t live in Rwanda long is the lack of variety of food choices and some really have adapted to being able to find food at any time of the hour no matter where you are.

Gatete showed us a graph and economic analysis on People of all ages around the world who are eating different foods as well as at alarming hours, “there is a greater demand for vegetarian meals across the globe, the demands of certain food stuffs have actually increased economic welfare in some of the developing countries that grow these ingredients”.

Gatete believes that by opening various branches of a food store that will not only be famous with Rwanda tastes, but also Foreigners’ who are definitely the biggest consumers.

Linda Kayitesi 23a Rwandan is a student in the US, her parents live in Rwanda. She relocated to US at the age of ten. Kayitesi is like all the other youths that reside in Rwanda, with the need to express themselves through fashion and music.

Kayitesi while in Rwanda had decided to take a tour around town when she was briefly assaulted by the public; Kayitesi described to us what she was wearing that day.

She had her Afro hair spread out, Sunglasses on, earphones plugged into her ears and visible tattoo’s on her arms. She wore a Vest and shorts. Suddenly she was surrounded by groups of young men murmuring words she didn’t understand but knew it was about her.

She quickly rushed into a restaurant where she called her mom to come pick her up but only a second too late, street kids touched her legs sending the nearby crowd into laughter.

“I am a Rwandan and I know our culture, but there is a limit to how Rwandan’s are turning a blind eye to the truths of changes in the society without even dealing with them”. Kayitesi says she can’t stand being stared at thus she will stay abroad.