When John Kalisa was lately recognised with a Lifetime Neighborhood Service Award in Massachusetts, the honour mirrored years of labor bringing collectively Rwandans dwelling within the US state.
For Kalisa, nonetheless, the award was by no means about particular person achievement. As a substitute, he sees it as recognition of a group that has stayed related to its roots whereas constructing new lives overseas.
His personal journey displays that story. Compelled to depart Rwanda as a toddler, Kalisa has spent most of his life exterior the nation. But he speaks of Rwanda with the familiarity and affection of somebody who by no means actually left.
He returns repeatedly, hopes to relocate completely sooner or later, and believes members of the diaspora have a accountability to protect their identification whereas contributing to Rwanda's growth.
A childhood formed by displacement
Kalisa was born in 1962 in Gitarama, now a part of Rwanda's Southern Province. Political instability compelled his household to flee when he was nonetheless younger. They first sought refuge in what was then Zaire earlier than briefly returning to Rwanda and settling in Nyundo.
ALSO READ: Rwandan Diaspora has much more to supply
Quickly after, they fled once more, returning to Zaire earlier than later transferring to Uganda and finally Ethiopia.
“I used to be round 9 years previous once we went to Addis Ababa, and that's the place I used to be raised,” Kalisa recollects. “I spent about 11 years there, accomplished main and secondary faculty, and later moved to Gabon. Rising up, all I knew was transferring from one place to a different due to battle. After highschool, I made a decision I didn't need to reside wherever near struggle as a result of that had been my life.”
In 1986, he moved to america for school and has lived there ever since, elevating a household together with his spouse and their three daughters. Regardless of the space, Rwanda remained central to his identification.
Holding on to dwelling
Residing overseas, Kalisa says, strengthened relatively than weakened his attachment to Rwanda.
Requested what saved him related to a rustic he left as a toddler, he pauses earlier than answering.
“That query offers me feelings. Our household fled Rwanda, and as I grew older I saved asking myself why we needed to depart. The extra I mirrored, the extra I realised there was no purpose to desert who I used to be,” he says.
ALSO READ: Kagame to Diaspora: It’s upon you to take Rwanda to its deserved place
“I lived in Ethiopia, Gabon and later america, however nowhere did I really feel I needed to cease being Rwandan.”
He says integrating into American society by no means meant abandoning his identification.
“I shortly built-in into life in america. I used to be one other Black individual in America, however I additionally wished to maintain my identification.
“Even after I had the chance to turn out to be an Ethiopian citizen, I wasn't prepared as a result of I knew I already had my very own identification as a Rwandan. I by no means gave up on that, and I by no means will.”
Sustaining that identification additionally meant reconnecting with the language.
Having spent a lot of his childhood exterior Rwanda, Kalisa admits his Kinyarwanda was as soon as restricted. Studying it required dedication.
“It took me years to enhance my Kinyarwanda,” he says. “I made a acutely aware effort as a result of I wished to be nearer to my roots. In the present day I can comfortably maintain conversations, and I all the time inform those that if I may be taught after rising up overseas, then others can too.
“I'm right here as a result of I really like my nation. I really like my individuals. All Rwandans are my household.”
Constructing a group
That sense of belonging finally advanced into group service.
Within the aftermath of the 1994 Genocide towards the Tutsi, Kalisa and two different Rwandans established a group affiliation in Massachusetts. On the time, fewer than 10 Rwandans lived within the state.
ALSO READ: Rwandans in USA have a good time Liberation Day
Their preliminary purpose was to create a registered non-profit organisation to lift funds for individuals in want again dwelling.
“We began in November 1995 with simply three individuals,” Kalisa recollects. “There weren't many Rwandans in Massachusetts, so even members of our board got here from different states as a result of we wished to create one thing that would unite us.”
The affiliation quickly turned greater than a fundraising platform. It additionally helped newly arrived Rwandans settle into life in america.
“When somebody arrived, we’d obtain them and assist them combine into the American group,” he says.
“My spouse and I’d invite them to stick with us for every week, generally a month and even three months till they discovered a job and will stand on their very own. My spouse deserves numerous credit score as a result of she has been my proper hand all through that journey.”
Almost three a long time later, the affiliation has grown from three members to about 300 registered members, whereas the broader Rwandan group in Massachusetts now exceeds 1,000 individuals.
Kalisa says the current recognition belongs to everybody who helped construct that group.
“It recognises individuals who have devoted their time to bringing Rwandans collectively. For me, it’s actually concerning the group itself and everybody who has been a part of that journey.”
Supporting Rwanda from overseas
Whereas serving to fellow Rwandans settle in america stays necessary, Kalisa believes the diaspora additionally performs an important function in Rwanda's growth.
Over time, the Massachusetts group has organised fundraising initiatives to help college students, survivors of the Genocide towards the Tutsi and different susceptible teams.
ALSO READ: Rwanda is certainly the place Rwandans are
“We began by elevating cash for individuals who wanted assist in Rwanda, and that continues right now,” he says.
“There are totally different group actions, together with ladies's teams that help ladies survivors of the Genocide. Each time there’s a want, individuals come collectively and contribute no matter they’ll.”
He notes that many contributions are much less seen however equally important.
“Many Rwandans overseas help their households each month. They pay faculty charges, assist with lease and supply help in lots of different methods.
“Others have invested in land, homes and companies. These might appear like private investments, however additionally they contribute to the nation's economic system.”
Kalisa additionally promotes Rwanda by means of a small espresso roasting enterprise exterior Boston, whereas one other member of the group imports Rwandan espresso into the American market.
“We work onerous to advertise Rwanda by means of its merchandise,” he says. “Each alternative to introduce somebody to Rwandan espresso can also be a chance to inform Rwanda's story.”
Preserving language and tradition
For Kalisa, preserving identification begins with on a regular basis traditions. Neighborhood gatherings revolve round Rwandan meals, cultural celebrations and talking Kinyarwanda.
“We preserve our tradition as a result of tradition begins with language,” he says. “With out language, your tradition is incomplete. That's why we encourage households to talk Kinyarwanda at dwelling, have a good time Umuganura and proceed gathering as a group.”
He acknowledges that passing the language on to the subsequent era has not been straightforward in his circle of relatives.
ALSO READ: Rwanda Day 2024: What being part of it taught me
“I’ve to talk truthfully about that. I didn't have the chance to show my daughters Kinyarwanda very nicely as a result of I wasn't fluent myself once they have been rising up. As my very own Kinyarwanda improved, I inspired them to be taught extra. That have taught me how necessary it’s for fogeys to begin early.”
He believes younger Rwandans born overseas can nonetheless construct a powerful connection to their heritage if households make an effort.
“I didn’t develop up in Rwanda, but I discovered Kinyarwanda as a result of I wished to. That tells me it’s attainable. It takes effort, however it’s attainable.”
Telling Rwanda's story
Past preserving tradition inside the diaspora, Kalisa believes Rwandans overseas have a accountability to share a extra full image of their nation.
“After I first spoke to individuals about Rwanda, many solely knew it by means of Lodge Rwanda,” he says.
“In the present day the conversations are totally different. Folks need to find out about funding, growth and what Rwanda appears like now. We now have a accountability to clarify the place the nation has come from and the place it’s going.”
He says these conversations usually start with easy questions on language, tradition and each day life.
“Lots of people are stunned to be taught that Kinyarwanda is our principal language. Many assume African nations solely converse the languages of former colonial powers. Explaining our language and tradition helps individuals perceive that Rwanda has its personal identification.”
Kalisa additionally encourages younger Rwandans born overseas to go to Rwanda, reconnect with their heritage and take into account investing within the nation.
“They’ve been blessed to have a rustic the place they’ll come freely, reside, make investments and really feel at dwelling,” he says.
“I encourage each Rwandan abroad to proceed selling Rwanda and educating others about it. When individuals come right here and see the nation for themselves, they perceive its transformation a lot better than they ever may from a distance.”
After a long time overseas, Kalisa says his future stays firmly tied to Rwanda.
“It’s a fantastic nation with a fantastic future,” he says. “I hope extra younger individuals will proceed the work of holding that connection alive as a result of Rwanda belongs to all of us, whether or not we reside right here or overseas.”
