an overview - the poetry project 19

An Overview: The Poetry Project 19—Page

Copyright © 2013, by YouLI. All right reserved.

An Overview

The

Poetry

Project

19

Telling Our

Own Stories Poems by Rwandan

Youth 20 Years After

the Genocide

An Overview: The Poetry Project 19—

Telling Our Own Stories: Poems by Rwandan Youth 20 Years After the Genocide

Copyright © 2013, by Youth Literacy Organisation (YouLI). All rights reserved. Published by YouLI. YouLI is a youth-led nonprofit NGO aimed to advance reading and writing skills, to transform literacy and learning skills of the youth, especially students. It is governed by legal statutes subjected to the provisions of the law n°04/2012 of 17/02/2012 relating to national non-governmental organisations in the Republic of Rwanda. No part of this material may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or other-wise, except as printed under The Poetry Project 19, without either the prior written permis-sion of the publisher. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to [email protected]. Visit www.youth-literacy.org for further information. Views expressed within the poems or any other material associated with the collection do not necessarily represent those of YouLI as a whole or its leadership. Printed and bound in the Republic of Rwanda.

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.youth-literacy.org



04 About the Project Brief overview of the project

05 The Collection Introducing the final product

06 About the Poems The 20 poems in summary

14 What People Do Say A few comments

18 How You Can Contribute We need your help!

Contents



About

the

Project Launched on 29 March 2013, The Poetry Project 19 is an initiative of Youth Literacy Organisation (YouLI). With objective to compile and publish 20 poems by Rwandan youth at the occasion of the 20th commemoration of the genocide com-mitted against the Tutsi, YouLI aimed to encourage the youth to:

tell their own stories and the story of Rwanda; contribute to the literature on Rwanda and the history of the

genocide; Foster their creative expression skills through writing.

By publishing the poems, YouLI also hopes to promote aspiring writers. Although this project concludes with a collection in book form, we hope to embark on more similar projects in the future, namely a collection of essays for the years ahead, etc.



The

Co

llec

tio

n

The final product of The Poetry Project 19 will compile 20 poems, entitled Telling Our Own Stories: Poems by Rwandan Youth 20 Years After the Genocide. With up to 21 contributors, between the ages of 14 and 28, the collection contains poems under the theme “Commemorating the Tutsi Genocide, Strive for Self-reliance.” The poems are written in plain English, though some parts contain Kinyarwanda. With pages reserved for a preface, dedica-tion and acknowledgements, it also con-tains short biographies of the contributors.



About

the

Poems EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Inspired by the history of Rwanda, especially the genocide committed against the Tutsi, the poems within Telling Our Own Stories cele-brate the lives of over one million victims of the genocide. They recall the memories, horror and terror. While each poem tells a story, they all em-brace remembrance, forgiveness, and hope for a brighter future—taking the reader from experiences of anger, blame and regrets over a despicable history, to a rising and promise of a generation that carries the responsibility of rebuilding the demolished; aspiring for a brighter future for a ‘never again’ turned into reality. This collection calls on all of us, Rwandans in particular, to strive for a better tomorrow with-out forgetting our past.

by Esther Kunda, Secretary of the Board of Directors



Now I am Talking by Ian M. Sekamana, 17 Ian’s poem provides a buoyant look at what Rwanda has become from a devastating past. The author is san-guine about the role of Rwandan youth in changing for the better and maintaining the rebuilt nation at its current pace. A thought-provoking, yet realistic, call to the peo-ple of Rwanda, especially the young generation, to as-pire for “the choice to finish and accomplish the dreams of those who walked this path before [...].” This poem bears a remarkable voice that evokes

change within the society for the better, bearing in mind

that the power of self-reliance is understood through the

power of hard work.

Night of Sorrow

by Michaella Rugwizangoga, 27

Trying to describe the indescribable and understand the incomprehensible, the author, through a heart-touching form of poetry, mourns the despicable horror of the gen-ocide in search of a way to express the depth of its enormity. I Remember, But Full of Life

by Vanessa Mutesi, 14

Through the Gospel of forgiveness and reconciliation preached by visionary leadership, Rwanda rises from ashes to a fast-developing country, what was next to impossible 20 years ago. The author, through a two-year-old during in 1994, recalls the poignant memories of the dark days. Vanessa also expresses delightment over a dark history now part of olden times, a past un-likely to recur. “Gone are the darks days!” she writes.

01

02

03



Tribute to My Beloved by Natasha D. Muhoza, 20 Natasha’s piece is a keepsake from a brilliant young poet that calls on us—irrespective of our years of age—to play a role in commemorating the 1994 Gen-ocide against the Tutsi. The author slightly exposes the consequences of divi-sionism, colonialism, hatred and fear. She explains the power of the “new age” as Rwanda has turned to a new page filled with what she calls “New govern-ance for new direction” and inspires the people of Rwanda to never forget where they come from and aspire to a brighter future. To the youth, she writes, “Ours is energy, promise

and power. To steer the wheel and turn the tables.”

Full Bloom After Rain by Gratia Bamurange, 21 A heartbreaking poem on humanity turned into forgery and a call for all to never forget, cherishing the be-loved ones at all times. It is a memento to keep the victims of the genocide close to our heart as we strug-gle for dignity and self-reliance. Gratia has well ex-plained how reinforcing peace has become a tradition as building unity is now Rwanda’s firmest pillar. Riding My One-Wheel Bicycle by Robert Nkeramugaba, 28 A touching memory of a past with a childhood friend; 20 years already from the fate that separated two young minds that were used to adventuring in their fantasised world yet their hearts are still so close. Robert’s poem bears a word of remembrance on how many young lives have been cut short by those who should have seen in them a variety of potentials.

04

05

06



07

08

Uzabe Umugabo by Fiona Kamikazi, 23 A deeply moving tribute to a fallen father, whose life was cut short to not see her daughter growing, but whose lega-cy lives on through a wise message, “Uzabe umugabo”, which is heard even though his absence is far from being unnoticeable. The baby-girl left behind unwillingly, has been shaped to grow wiser, from good to be great. Hora Rwanda by Angel Uwamahoro, 22 A looking-back into the history books, a regret to have not been there and a realisation that life is a mixture of ups and downs, joys and sorrows. An apology for the failure of humanity, and a promise of a long lasting memory towards changing the world into a better place, where our similari-ties make us smile and our differences make us complete. Angel’s poem reminds that optimism that keeps on record Rwanda’s devastating past is the right approach to moving forward. How Could You? by Javan Uwimana, 20 In a short but thought-provoking poem, the author wonders how it became possible for a people that used to share everything to be torn apart; for a big part to turn heartless and slaughter their fellows. The author reflects scars that are forever to be, a sign of remembrance. Through a language of innocence, this po-em signs that the innocent lives taken will be mourned and celebrated forever, them who did not choose to be be-headed with no crime.

09



10

11

Why Not Me by Laetitia Isimbi, 23 A mysterious survival in the midst of the hunted, a grief-stricken recount of how life is hard without those who were killed during the genocide, leaving behind a wretched generation of descendants, relatives and sib-lings. A confident declaration that those who managed to survive have not been swallowed by desperation and grief, and that the responsibility to mourn, remember and honour the victims is for each and every Rwan-dan—not only the survivors. The Retold by Ines Giramata, 17 This poem portrays the beauty of Rwanda’s culture and how the ancestors lived together in harmony. It comes to explain some of the changes brought on by the gen-ocide ideology and sparked the systematic killing of Tutsis and moderate Hutus. It evokes remembering with respect to rebuilding the nation. An excellent eye-opener that tells of how “the past is not meant to be our home; It’s only a memorial site.” It’s Time to Change by Raissa Giramata, 17 Through the lines in this poem, the author sends a clear message to all those who are willing to move on, saying it’s “time to wail up our tears, and remember them in actions”. Another piece to encourage Rwan-dans to work hard against all odds.

12



13

16

I Remember, Forgive, But Never Forget! by Annick Gikundiro, 16, and Célèste Impundu, 16 A piece calling on people to embrace remem-brance, yet, at the same time, evoking forgiveness. It is a creative expression of haunting memories, the silence within the survivors of the genocide and Rwanda’s efforts to move forward despite the chal-lenges. I Dream by Kevine Uwase, 17 With an optimistic view on Rwanda’s new path through an illustration of the dreams of a young girl, this short poem describes how far the country has gone since the genocide and the hope for a bright-er future. Silence by Brenda Indekwe, 16 An important voiceless voice to remind us that whenever we keep silent about our history, experi-ences and thoughts, we leave a blank page for an-yone to write anything they wish. To My Grandmother by Yannick Tona, 23 Dedicate to a grandmother who was killed during the genocide, the author recalls the memories of the times they spent together before 1994. The poem also tells of how far Rwanda has gone and the development that have taken place since the holocaust. “You would be surprised of how far Rwanda today is different from the one in which you grew up. We even have mobile phones! I wish you were here to see all these new things you nev-er saw,” he writes, “[..] And don’t worry, I have found the happiness and joy you wished I grow up through.”

14

15



19

I Can Speak for Myself by Benjamin N. Dusenge, 23 In this poem, the author explains how he has come to create a voice after many years of silence through ignorance. A clear definition of finding peace through freedom of expression and the will to tell stories. The power of speaking our minds. Never Again! by Rizinde Shaffiyat Binti Shaffiy, 17 A brief overview of the history and the consequences of the genocide as the author explains the horrors and the characteristics of hate that led to the killings; to which we say, today, “Never again!” Twenty Years, More Hope than Sorrow by Israel Bimpe, 21 This poem tells how Rwanda has overcome the con-sequences of the genocide, restoring peace and hope. The author explains how Rwandans live through “hope that makes us live” and the essence of prosperity. It is, simply, a poem written by a young and proud citizen. Living the Rwandan Dream by Parfait N. Niyomugabo,23 A message of hope and bravery to every Rwandan to rise and work up to living the ‘Rwandan Dream’, a dream to turning the country’s nasty past, into the foundation of a sustainable incredibly triumphant fu-ture. Though a foundation of life was lost 20 years ago, as an appalling horror occurred and the country sank into the worst puerility, today it’s proven that there is always a room for hope, towards achieving what the innocently departed could only envision.

17

18

20



Wo

rdc

lou

d



What

People

Do Say We have shared the manuscripts with some of our friends, mentors and supporters to hear from their feedback, and here is what they have said:

“There are such voices and depths in ‘Telling Our Own Stories’ that will have to leave every-one in awe. YouLI has worked hard as a facili-tator for Rwandan youth to evoke change through words. This is not just a collection of poetry; it also represents the future.” —Ornella Umubyeyi, Author of ‘Life Beyond Sight: Existing, Not Living’



“The voices within this collection of poems are moving; compelling and worth listening to.” —Clarisse Iribagiza, CEO at HeHe, Ltd.

““I cannot remember last time we had such a product to showcase dif-ferent views in a variety of voices. This collection defines a brilliant model in allowing our young genera-tion to express themselves.” —Gilbert Mucyo, Communications Researcher and former Google Ambassador

“No one thought of such a way to tell stories, yet stories of a post-genocide generation that live through pride against sadness. The sto-ries within this collection of poems represent a diverse look at developments nineteen years after the genocide. This is a commend-able youth initiative and a significant contri-bution to the story of Rwanda in writing. —Jennifer Turatsinze, Executive Director of Rwanda Library Services



Our Work We Create Spaces to Inspire Over the last 4 years, YouLI been involved in several activities aimed at creating opportunities that enable Rwandan youth to fos-ter their literacy and learning skills. Key events have included creating literary magazines for aspiring writers to publish, organising writing workshops and trainings with themes related to publishing, digital communications and story-telling skills. Throughout our programmes, we value and give space to peer-learning and student-centred approaches.

Two-day Workshop: Writing Children’s Books (28-29 June 2012)

1



Two-hour Workshop: Our Blogs and Blogging (20 August 2012)

One-day Workshop: Developing School Journals (17 September 2012)

Two-hour Workshop: Experiences Worth Sharing (06 August 2012)

2

3

4



How

You Can

Contribute Donate We are raising funds for the realisation of this project and one of the ways through which you can contribute is by donating money. Donations will cover the printing costs and help organise the launch of the col-lection of poems in book form. Contribute In-kind You might not be able to contribute finan-cially but rather provide other services or commodities that could help facilitate the realisation of this project. We are keen to discuss with you on how to contribute to the project without necessarily providing hard cash.

1

2



Spread the word! We would like to raise a lot of awareness about this project. Here are some of the ways you can help us let as many people know about this poetry project:

Tell your friends and colleagues at school, at work or at the club, etc. about the project and the poems in particular;

Comment and write about the project and share through various social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and blogs.

We are social—you would be interested in finding us on Facebook or following us on Twitter for con-tinued updates and more sharing. Share your thoughts We are open to discussions and share of ideas re-garding this project. May you have any thoughts on how to improve our work or make this project even more successful, feel free to reach out to us any-time. We welcome ideas that could help us achieve the most out of this project and would be mostly happy to hear from writers, researchers, publishers, media practitioners, and related fields. Organise a promotional event Another way you could contribute to the project is to host a promotional event. We would like to hear from your proposal and discuss how to organise this. We will provide necessary materials, including the collection, for the audience to consume. Regardless the size of the audience, we would be happy to express how much we are excited about this project.

5

3

4



www.youth-literacy.org

an overview - the poetry project 19

Documents

poetry project

stories poems

rwandan youth

project brief overview

genocide copyright

page copyright

tutsi genocide

collection of essays