Reported by Koto Yen | Tzu Chi Foundation 

The Rise of Rwanda: A Bright Future   

In 2024, Rwanda stands proudly among Africa’s top economies, ranked third on the continent and first in East Africa. Kigali, its capital, has earned the nickname "Africa’s Singapore" due to its economic dynamism and growing reputation as a model city. Yet, Rwanda’s past tells a very different story—one marked by suffering, tragedy, and unspeakable loss. 

A Nation Torn by Ethnic Conflict   

The year 1994 is etched in the history of Rwanda as a time of horrific ethnic conflict. What began as political tensions spiraled into unimaginable violence, with nearly 1 million people losing their lives in just three months. Communities were torn apart, families were devastated, and the nation’s landscape became a reflection of pure agony. Millions were forced to flee their homes, leaving Rwanda in ruins, a land of broken spirits and shattered lives. 

Tzu Chi’s Call to Action   

During this humanitarian disaster, Tzu Chi Foundation, an organization committed to global relief, sought ways to bring aid to Rwanda. With doors to the country tightly closed due to the ongoing violence, it wasn’t an easy task. However, through perseverance and collaboration with Médecins du Monde (M.D.M.), Tzu Chi was able to enter Rwanda in August 1994. Leading this mission were Hsiang-Ming Hsu, a senior officer from Tzu Chi’s central office, and Dr. Ying-Wei Wang from Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. Their journey took them from France to Kenya and eventually into the heart of the devastation in Rwanda. 

A Mission of Compassion and Healing   

Upon arrival, the Tzu Chi team provided essential medical supplies, vaccines, milk powder, and biscuits—small yet vital lifelines for those struggling to survive. With the help of a 23-member medical team from Médecins du Monde and local volunteers, Tzu Chi set up three mobile medical stations. These stations, located along the route from Goma (in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo) to Rwanda's capital, Kigali, provided 24-hour medical care and nutrition support to the weary and wounded. 

The work was grueling. Rwanda was in chaos, and the medical teams worked around the clock, treating the sick, dressing wounds, and offering words of comfort to those who had lost everything. Despite the overwhelming suffering, the Tzu Chi volunteers continued their mission, driven by the belief that even in the darkest of times, love and compassion can bring light and hope. 

Witnessing Human Suffering   

For nine days,  Hsiang-Ming Hsu and Dr. Ying-Wei Wang worked tirelessly in the field. They saw horrors beyond imagination, but they also witnessed the resilience of the human spirit. Though the work was dangerous and emotionally draining, both volunteers returned safely home, forever changed by what they had experienced. Their time in Rwanda left an indelible mark, one that would inspire Tzu Chi to continue its mission of compassion across the globe. 

Lessons from Rwanda’s Tragedy   

The 1994 Rwandan ethnic conflict remains a sobering reminder of the destructive power of hatred and division. For Master Cheng Yen, founder of Tzu Chi, Rwanda’s story is a constant reminder to cherish peace and harmony in our own communities. She often reflects on how the tragedy was not due to a lack of resources, but a failure of the human heart. "Rwanda was a rich land, but it was the actions of a few that tore it apart. The real disaster was man-made." 

As Rwanda rebuilds itself, it serves as a powerful example of resilience and recovery. And Tzu Chi’s contribution during that dark time stands as a testament to the power of compassion in the face of tragedy. Today, Rwanda looks to the future with hope, but it will never forget the lessons of its past.