MODERN RWANDA?

Rwanda's capital, Kigali, sits high on a hill. In the foreground, a man in the parking lot of the Genocide Memorial,
digs through gravel in search of what, we could never find out.

For most of us what little we know of the African republic probably came from the Oscar-winning movie Hotel Rwanda. The film highlighted atrocities that took place during the bloody genocide nearly two decades ago, when over one million men, women and children were brutally murdered in three months. 

We are still haunted by the stories and images we witnessed in the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre. It's impossible not to be inspired by the courage and warmth of the people encountered both there and throughout the country, who've overcome so much. 

While scars both visible and otherwise remain, much progress has been made since 1994, including investment of billions of dollars in international aid. Rwanda now is considered a model for developing countries, with economic stability, a modern healthcare system, and one of the best road systems in Africa, as we experienced during a week-long visit. 

A man sells fresh loaves of bread as Liz looks on from a bus window. 

Kip gets a "Welcome in Rwanda" at the Tanzania border crossing.