Boston, 22 September 2012
President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame today joined thousands of Rwandans and friends of Rwanda who gathered at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston to celebrate Rwanda Day 2012 themed ‘Agaciro: The Journey Continues.’ The event which brought together Rwandans from North American Diaspora and Rwanda kicked off on Friday, 21 September with exhibitions by Rwandan institutions, presentations and entertainment.
In his address to the thousands of jubilant Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, President Kagame passes on greetings from Rwanda and thanked all those who had travelled from different places to be part of the event. President Kagame told the gathering that it is every Rwandans responsibility to build their country and not delegate it to anyone else;
“It should be our pride to live in a dignified country. You must continually tell the story of your country. If you don’t tell the story of your country, someone else will do it the wrong way progress we have made has come devoid of short cuts, lies. Progress invites detractors, but it’s ok. We have the ability, desire and will, to define ourselves. Detractors will do their job I will do mine, if my progress hurts anyone, its not our intention, sorry. “
View pictures of the story: http://www.flickr.com/photos/paulkagame/sets/72157631599920855/
Listen to the full speech: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9jKP8Ap6M0
A friend of Rwanda and Honorary Consul to Boston, Bobby Sager said Rwanda was no longer defined by the 1994 genocide.
President Kagame told the audience that If Rwandans don’t take it upon themselves to tell the story of their country, someone else will do it the wrong way:
“The progress we have made as a country has come devoid of short cuts and lies. This kind of progress invites detractors, but it’s ok. We have the ability, desire and will, to define ourselves. Detractors will do do their job i will do mine, if my progress hurts anyone, it’s not our intention, sorry. If anyone is looking for a perfect leader, don’t look my way, looking for a perfect nation, not Rwanda.”