Greetings of the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. My name is Marie YEZAKUZWE. I am from Gorero parish, diocese of Nyundo. I arrived in Butare community on the 2nd April 2022 in order to start learning English so that I may be able to start the pre- postulancy.
Today, I want to share with you my joy of participating in the Youth Forum. It was in the diocese of Butare, in the parish of Kabgayi. The Forum started on the 17th until the 21st August 2022. This forum gathered all the catholic youth of Rwanda from 9 dioceses. Each diocese was represented and others were following the session through social media. I was touched to see how the Catholic Church cares for the youth. They invited different authorities in the church and in the country in order to share with young people their experience and encourage them to build their lives on Christ, and acquire values in order to be able to serve the country and love it.
The forum was opened by the bishop of Kabgayi. The opening mass was celebrated by the Cardinal accompanied by the bishops of Kabgayi, nyundo, Gikongoro, Byumba and of Cyangungu who gave us a nice talk on the next day. We were also blessed to have among us the minister of youth who invited us to reflect on the meaning of the life we have. Where does it come from and what do we do with it? She reminded us that we were the future and the strength of our country Rwanda. Our reflections and commitments are needed.
On the third day, we were blessed with the presence of Mr. JAMES KABAREBE, the national secretary of President Paul Kagame for security. His talk was about youth‘s strengths and values such as: Learning to take decisions and never giving up; the importance of being consistent in our daily decision-making. He said, never give up, even when you meet with challenges, and remain consistent. If you want to reach something be patient and disciplined, organized and orderly, you will succeed, “no pain no gain”. Leadership: everyone is a leader when you are giving opinions you become a leader because others are attentive to what you are saying. Be always honest and courageous.
Marie Yazakuzwe
