The Pursuit for Peace

Even in the pursuit of peace war is devastating; it blurs the line between what is good and bad, only leaving the will to survive. Because no matter who emerges victorious all losers.

Being from Rwanda I have seen and experienced the devastating effects of war, and know first-hand how it not only effects countries but also it's people.

At the time the war started in my country, Rwanda, I was young, in my twenties, innocent and naïve. Having just finished college, and started my career as a teacher I loved that my job could inspire and educate others. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to go very far. Because during that school year, none of us knew that our history as a people would be changed forever. In 1990's the war started, the ancient government had been excused of not welcoming neighbouring countries because the were small and because of hatred between the people. Civilians trying to flee for their lives wanted to enter in the neighbouring countries, mostly Burundi, Tanzania, and Kenya. During this time I could not understand how people could commit such sin. The utter fear and devastation was hard to understand because Rwanda was home and the memories I once had no longer fit the image of the place I called home. Four years after, a peace the negotiation started. In the middle of those negotiations, and it was during this time we experienced the most horrible moments and still now I am haunted with the ghost of how cruel my people and others can be. After living in that situation and seeing the things I saw, I decided to leave Rwanda and go to another neighbouring country for good: and looking back now I have no regrets and believe this was the best decision I’ve made.

Life as refugee was not pleasant at all. No matter how much you could accomplish, you always feel home sick, and struggle to feel at home or apart of a community wherever you go. I think every immigrant has the same feeling. Finally coming to Canada I established and home and started attending school in order to benefit myself.

In 2015, I read "The Kit Runner" in my ESL class. I was so happy to have something to relate to even though it brought up my nightmare experience. Finding similarities between myself and the character Amil, I confronted feelings and emotions that before I don't even want to think about. Amil having left Afghanistan in 1980's during the Soviet