On 1st February 2022, Rwandan Community in China joined the rest of the world to mark the 28th Heroes’ Day celebrations. The event, was conducted online and offline to mitigate the spread of the pandemic.

The celebration was held under the theme “Our Heroism, our Dignity" to honor the ultimate sacrifice of the exceptional individuals whose legacy continues to inspire Rwandans.

During the celebration, Ambassador James Kimonyo and Rwanda’s Military Attaché to China, Col John Karangwa gave a presentation on heroism, describing it as one of the strong values of Rwandan culture.

The Ambassador urged Rwandans in China, majority of the youth to strive for heroism and exhibit Rwandan values, patriotism and stand out in today’s challenging environment for a better future. 

“Patriotism cannot be auctioned, you can’t find it in a market place or stock markets, it is anchored in your heart and mind, do the right thing and you will be counted among the heroes,” Ambassador Kimonyo noted. 

Don’t allow the hard-earned progress as a result of the price paid by our heroes to be ruined by selfish and ideologically disoriented individuals, he added. 

The Ambassador was echoed by Col John Karangwa who encouraged the audience to embrace patriotism spirit. 

"The struggle to liberate Rwanda is the history that must help you to understand the spirit of heroic activities. It is an opportunity for the youth to think big and uphold patriotic values in their daily lives," Col Karangwa said. 

Col Karangwa called on community leaders to carry on their duties with the same heroic spirit that many Rwandans have embodied for continued national development.

During the event, the audience watched a testimony of how Inyange Secondary School Students sacrificed to stay together during the night of 18th March 1997, when infiltrators, ‘abacengezi’ ordered the students to separate themselves, the Hutu on one side and the Tutsi on the other side, but they heroically decided to remain together. Consequently, seven of them were killed and many others wounded.

Rwandan Community in China pledged to uphold the values that characterized Rwandan heroes. 

“The country heroes we remember to day, have imparted with valuable lessons in their lives, we should all learn from their great patriotic values,” Placide Habineza said adding that today, Rwandans have a great opportunity of having a good leadership with a focused vision. 

He reflected on the sacrifices paid by men and women in the liberation struggle, and nation building and how Rwandans are benefiting from their heroic acts.

Narcisse Mulinga, the Chairman of the Rwandan Community in China, praised the sacrifice, and integrity of heroes we remember and encouraged Rwandans in China to emulate heroic values so that they will be heroes to ensure a peaceful and more developed country. 

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