Susie Haack | Contributing writer

On Wednesday April 9, over 30 BVU students waited by the Victory Bell for a walk in memory of those that had died 20 years earlier in the Rwandan genocide. From April to July, 1994 approximately 800,000 people were murdered in this tragic event. Most of the students participating in the walk African international students who had actually lost family and friends in the genocide. Some came with posters in black and purple colors, proclaiming unity and to never forget those that were lost and why they were lost.

Sophomore Axel Shema announced the beginning of the event and introduced BVU Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life Ken Meissner, who led students in prayer. The walk was set to a walk around the housing block around the Siebens Forum, Swope Hall, Dixon-Eilers Hall, Edson Hall, and Peterson Field. The walk returned to the Victory Bell, but that was not the end of the evening.

The group of BVU students were then led to a forum room where each student was handed a plastic candle and the floor was open for others to say who they were lighting their candles for. Many said aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. One girl said for her brother. Many of those that spoke up ended in tears.

The candle lighting ended with Meissner talking about the genocide and how everyone should “be involved” and “never forget”. Meissner finished with a prayer for those that were lost and those that were left behind to suffer from the loss.

The night ended with the showing of the movie, Sometimes in April. Sometimes in April is a film that was released in 2005 about the Rwandan genocide. This reverent group of students will never forget those who were lost and why.