Rwandan earns U.S. education for homeland use

Innocent Bagabama returns to Rwanda after getting an education in the United States

By Janice McDonald
CNN NEWSROOM

(CNN) -- When Innocent Bagabama returned to his homeland of Rwanda this spring, he was as changed as the land.

Four years ago, Innocent was just a teenager when he left Rwanda to attend school at La Roche College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as part of a project called "Pacem In Terris Institute."

The eight-year-old program was created to afford collegiate opportunities to young women and men from war-ravaged regions of the world. Over the years, participants have come from 17 different countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe.

Innocent was one of 25 students from Rwanda and Bosnia who graduated from the project in May. One week after graduating, he came back to Kigali. "I was mesmerized by the progress the people of Rwanda have made," Innocent says. He says wants to be a part of the rebuilding that has been taking place since the devastating genocide of 1994, which claimed more than 800,000 lives.

The ethnic turmoil between Hutus and Tutsis had gone on for years. In fact, Innocent was born in Uganda, after his parents fled their country because of the conflicts. His family later returned to Rwanda, leaving Innocent with an aunt so he could continue school.

VIDEO Pacem in Terris Institute gives people from countries torn by genocide and war an education in the U.S. CNN's Rudi Bakhtiar reports (November 21) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

When he got word of the beginnings of the genocide against Tutsis and moderate Hutus, Innocent returned home himself, fearing for his family's safety. It was then that he received the devastating word that two of his brothers had been murdered.

"For the first few hours, I didn't feel anything," he said. "I went through the ordeal of how they must have died after going through the scenes I saw. I said 'Why? Why did they die? Why didn't I die instead?'"

The tragedy helped shape Innocent's future. It made him determined to help change things in Rwanda for the better, and education was his road to that goal.

As a child, Innocent's first class was held outdoors under a tree while sitting on a rock. But yet, he dared to dream of going to the United States to study.

His friends called him crazy for setting such a lofty goal, especially given the fact that his family was so poor.

He told them, "I don't know how I'll go, but I'll get there." And get there he did, through La Roche. The project is the brainchild of Monsignor William Kerr. He works with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent to help pick participants who want to make a contribution to their homelands. He says that, from the beginning, it was clear that Innocent should be a part.

"He always, and I tell him this," says the Monsignor, smiling, "he had something to say. One day I said to him, 'Innocent, you have all the ingredients to be a leader. You really have to begin exercising leadership, and you have to keep that word "leader" in mind.'"

Innocent graduates from La Roche College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Through his mentor's encouragement, Innocent has done just that. He was elected a leader at the college and hopes now to one day be in a leadership role in Rwanda.

He wants to continue his education and help educate others. He admits he has a heavy burden on his shoulders because so many eyes are on him.

"I have to make a difference," Innocent says. "I have to at least show that there is something I got outside and bring it back here, because I owe my country and other people something."

But as he shakes his head and looks out across the streets where so many died, Innocent also has another dream for his country.

"I'd like people to get together and understand that they are one, and work together and develop their country, not look at the tribal political differences."

He pauses determinedly and continues, "Put in front the fact that they are all Rwandese and they all need to live here and live peacefully together with each other."