The Calgary event marks the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan massacre

A group of Calgarians gathered Saturday for a 30th anniversary commemoration organized by the Rwandan Canadian Society of Calgary.^th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide.

In 1994, 800,000 Rwandans, mostly Tutsi and moderate Hutus, were killed by Hutu-dominated militia groups and members of the Rwandan army.

Saturday's event was attended by survivors who have moved to other parts of the world after the genocide, who have spent the next three decades trying to recover from the trauma and grief of that event.

Clementine Msengi, author Save: Escaping the Rwandan Genocide and Finding a Home in Americawas the main speaker.

“It is very difficult for me to understand or even explain, the pain is so deep and it goes beyond survival,” Msengi said. “Because you're there, and then all of a sudden you're stuck.

“But I can say,” he added, “that I was able to rebuild because of the grace of God and the good people in my life.” That's why I'm sharing this story today.”

Calgarians attend a memorial event marking the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide on April 13, 2024 at Mount Royal University.

Msengi is currently a visiting professor at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

He was asked what the world can learn from what happened in Rwanda 30 years ago.

“I hope that by knowing that (this) has bad consequences, we can find a way to live in peace and continue to promote peace and love,” he said.

“Kindness goes a long way.”