The Resistance Memorial at Bisero

Morning Rush, Kigali


Prisoners

After Gitarama, we got stuck behind two trucks with prisoners (pink
uniforms gave it away) - I thought I can take a photo without anyone
noticing but the flash went off and the prisoners who kept looking at
us noticed. They waved to us signaling they want something - our
driver decided to stay back a little. Should not have taken the photo
- bad move on my part.


Kassim, the driver and market in a town in the back


We got close to Lake Kivu - the area is unbelievable beautiful.


Bisesero

The road after Kibyue which is on Lake Kivu was a dirt road - drove for ca. 2 hrs. average speed 5 km - it was almost 4 wheeling. And finally we got to the hill onto which the memorial was build.


A gate to enter the area.


Ca. 1008 murdered people (based on the number of skulls)are stored in the hut on a shelf. They are to be moved into the actual buildings on the hill as a final resting place and memorial to what happened.


It was a steep walk up the hill. Between the buildings is a walkway. Far back on a hill you can see a refugee camp (all white tents) for refugees (Tutsi)from the DRC. They fled into Rwanda because Hutu rebels had fled into the Congo after the genocide and then proceeded to kill Congolese Tutsi...


The Spears and stone symbolize the resistance fight - they used stones and spears to counter the interahamwe.


Mass graves on top of hill. The square grave in the middle is for the leader of the resistance.


Walkway between buildings.


Stopped at Lake Kivu at a resort run and managed by the Protestant Church.

The area around the Lake is truly amazing. We ate lunch right by the water. There was a water taxi which had handwritten on the inside of the boat the following:"Welcome to our water taxi" and "Don't worry". I thought that was very amusing. The boat did look like it won't make it across anything and I guess the "dont' worry' is to appease those who feel uncomfortable using it.



We got back by 7:00 pm - then I contacted Eric Kabera to arrange for meeting tomorrow and it turned out he was at Chez Lando with two Japanese TV directors/producers. I joined them for dinner. One of the Japanese TV producers used to live in Kenya for many years. He spoke Swahili.