#4. The Republic of Rwanda

___"And finally your determination is worth your esteem"___

Where is that magnificent 'green' meeting and high profile conference on a development entity? __ 'It is in Kigali, Rwanda'. Wow! this is exactly the kind of country I would want to stay for a week if not more.

To me in the world of community development in Africa, Rwanda has been my favorite country were I given a chance to choose. This underscores the power of ripple-effect communication in something good or bad. But in this case, I admire the praises on how the leadership and the people of Rwanda have been able to ride on positive paradigm shifts to the better, in terms of green solutions, for a better planet.

The National Anthem of Rwanda is the epitome of praise for beauty of the people and their land. One critical characteristic that as many people of the world especially our African people need to so dearly hold on to.

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1/. Rwanda, our beautiful and dear country, Adorned of hills, lakes and volcanoes

Motherland, would be always filled of happinessm, Us all your children: Abanyarwanda

Let us sing your glare and proclaim your high facts, You, maternal bosom of us all

Would be admired forever, prosperous and cover of praises

2/. Invaluable heritage, that God protects to you, You filled us priceless goods

Our common culture identifies us, Our single language unifies us

That our intelligence, our conscience and our forces, Fill you with varied riches

For an unceasingly renewed development.

3/. Our valorous ancestors, Gave themselves bodies and souls

As far as making you a big nation, You overcame the colonial-imperialistic yoke

That has devastated Africa entirely, And has your joy of your sovereign independence

Acquired that constantly we will defend.

4/. Maintain this cape, beloved Rwanda, Standing, we commit for you

So that peace reigns countrywidem, That you are free of all hindrance

That your determination hires progress, That you have excellent relations with all countries

And that finally your pride is worth your esteem.

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Now I connect why the country is so determined to make progress in the most possibly perfect ways compared to many others. We possess what we confess. _'That, your determination hires progress'_

Let us have a brief history of Rwanda's flag:

I_Rwanda was an independent Kingdom until it became a German Colony in 1891 and the flag adopted was that of German East Africa. The flag of German East Africa is a white field with a black cross in the top left portion of the flag is red with five five-pointed stars, (shown below).

II_In 1916 the area became Ruanda-Urundi under Belgian administration the Belgian black-yellow-red vertical tricolour flag was adopted. It was represented by the flag of Belgium, which was a vertical tricolor that influenced the designs of the flags that would come after it (shown below).

III_Until 1959, the flag of Rwanda was used, however, just two years later another flag was adopted. This one was a tricolor hoisted the Pan-African colors of red, yellow and green, with a black letter R. Two years down the line, a large R was placed in the centre of the yellow border (shown below).

IV_In 2001 a new flag was adopted to represent the unity of the country, as the previous flag was associated with the genocide in 1994. The flag is a blue-yellow-green horizontal tricolour with golden sun. This gives the look of the land, greenery, sky and sun. The flag is also said to represent the happiness of the population (shown below).

Meanings:

#Blue_ signifies peace and happiness.

#Green_ in Flag of Rwanda is for hope and prosperity along with flora and fauna.

#Yellow_ stands for growth and development of the nation.

Another shade of color yellow depicts the sun emblem in the corner, which is symbolic of enlightenment.

Being one of the most beautiful things I am reading this week, I remember words of the current president of the Republic of Rwanda, H.E. Paul Kagame that: "We cannot turn the clock back nor can we undo the harm caused, but we have the power to determine the future and to ensure that what happened never happens again". When behind the scenes my heart is tensed and almost losing its grip for a better continent sometimes, this man's speeches strike deep and ignite the fading hope in me again.

The main essence of having leaders who understand what life is in a unique perspective. Now I know that such a strong Tsunami of hope and positivity in development and in the people is embedded in the national anthem words that they sing every other time, and that are always flying out in form of the flag outside government institutions and national events.I am now inspired to have a powerful personal identity and daily anthem:) I am sure you have also learnt some nugget here.Rwanda is now my favorite country. Its capital is the Green City Kigali.

Dear esteemed Reader, see you in the next country!

?Girl of the African Soil