Returning to Rwanda 30 years after fleeing the genocide

This episode contains graphic description of violence. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

“I do not know when I will die maybe it’s today or tomorrow - but I felt if I died without forgiving him the burden would be on my children.” This weekend marks 30 years since the start of the Rwandan genocide. In 100 days, nearly 1 million people were killed based on their ethnicity.

At 13 years old, Claudette was attacked with a spear and shot – but somehow survived. Most of her family were less lucky and were killed. And yet she’s taken the remarkable decision of forgiving her attacker.

She’s one of a number of people who told her story to BBC reporter Victoria Uwonkunda on a recent visit to the country to mark the anniversary.

Victoria was just a year younger, 12 years old, when she herself fled Rwanda and the genocide with her family. She lived as a refugee in the DRC and Kenya before being settled in Norway. She has spoken about her struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

In this episode of Africa, she tells Alan Kasujja about her trip back to her home country – the first since she left – and shares more of Claudette’s story.

Presenter: Alan Kasujja @kasujja Reporter: Victoria Uwonkunda @afroscandi

To hear more, listen to Victoria’s full documentary on https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0hm1sbt