Kigali Genocide Memorial

…When I asked Maurice (guide at Kigali Genocide Memorial) how the Gacaca courts were for him and he said “healing” I wanted to know more about how, but I felt like asking that after his initial answer would be prying.

He had answered the question and didn’t go more into detail, maybe because he didn’t want to or maybe I should have been more clear? I don’t know. Still don’t know how to balance respect and my curiosity.

“I don’t believe in brainwashing. This is just evil.” - Maurice.

I had asked in my reflections how ordinary people could commit such horrible acts, I just have a hard time understanding it - but this is how some survivors reconcile it. It’s just a manifestation of evil.

I wonder if others share the same sentiment or if perpetrators can trace the source/beginning (the why) of their violence/participation. Maurice uses his job to heal - how do other survivors heal?