Many poems, songs and dances were created at peace camp. Pictured above: Gerard gives a repeat performance of his peace camp poem two weeks later at Love 4 Life, a World AIDS Day youth event put on by a peace of life at IFBK school in Kigali.
Here are the translations:
Sustainable Peace
by Gerard Ngirimandwa
I like this day
Let me start this time
By thanking God
Using my talent
A talent to promote peace
Sustainable peace.
I’m not joking
I’m not trying to flatter or impress, this comes from my heart
I don’t want to lie, guys, I just want to talk about sustainable peace
This country Rwanda has come from far
The youth has to be part of this process, being pillars of this peace
The army you see deserves praise
And together we can strive for peace
And do the best to make it a reality.
The good country we need
Is that in which, wise peacemakers live
Where the international community
Comes to learn from us
Because Rwanda as a whole
Is where peace is seated – can’t be moved.
A place where conflict is banished
Where peace kills hatred
Where chances abound
Where countries fetch peace
Because Rwanda is a stream
A stream of peace that never dries up.
Please join me in this battle
Please help in making peace a reality
Use any means and be courageous
Make Rwanda an academy for peace
Our God is love, peace, a parent
Our God is the author of this love, that brings peace.
Where there is peace, there live heroes
Where there are heroes no failures
Live in peace with all
Enthrone justice and love and thus
The peace will be our shield.
Let me ask you guys
Eat this peace
Why not feed people with peace
Don’t feed people with disputes
Make peace a reality.
For you our facilitators
Don’t worry about us, you’ve already sown a seed
Thank God who brought you
To plant a seed, that seed of peace
A sustainable peace forever.
Peace grounded in truth
Disputes aside
We as youth, acting as catalysts
Teaching this great lesson
About peace forev er
And build a peaceful nation
People in Darfur know this
Peace there is prevailing.
Let us build our image
Let darkness by wiped out be peace
Focus on the future not the past, focus on the good not bad
People in Darfur know this
Let me ask you
God created us, birds and reptiles
In harmony and love
Why don’t we learn from this reality, plant peace instead of disputes?
And we choose a good slogan
Together we said: “Catalysts for peace”
The sources of conflicts are many
Favoritism, lazyness, gossip, stereotypes and so on
Selfishness
Let’s overcome the bad, let’s enthrone peace, reconciliation and love.
Thank God for this great time
A time to learn and to promote this culture, a culture of peace
I’m done for now
I’ve learnt, I hope you did too
That peace is a *pillar for everything.
Thank you.
*inkingi – referring to central pillar in traditional Rwandan home
All are Equal
by JMV Nsanzimfura
All are equal
And I’m talking about kids
Those God created beautifully
And he gave them this country called Rwanda
And he gave them joy
But why you elders destroy their dreams
Look those who are vulnerable
You do not come to them
You mistreat them and add on their sorrows
You do not give the peace
Surely why that, if children are equal?
This is what makes me cry
While problems arise
You run away instead of stepping in
And bring that gift of peace
Please remember all kids are equal
Don’t add on their sorrows ,dears
And this is why God blessed you this way
When death comes in
Bring a gift to these children
Make them laugh, they deserve this joy
And never forget that
He who ignores the rich, despises the children
They are all equal, please remember this.
Let me explain this
Tell those who are selfish
That kids are equal
To you, young men and ladies
Know your responsibilities
Don’t neglect your parents
Make them proud by promoting peace
Make your community a stream of peace.
I want to remember Laurena
Who always strives to leave a legacy
A legacy of peace, and the AEBR
Who made this peace camp a reality
Please do invite us again
And we wanna know more
About this priceless gift
The peace that we all need.
Amahoro – Youth Peace Camp Song
by Samuel Habimana
Chorus:
The youth we have a challenge
To work and strive for peace
Out here problems are so many
And peace is the only treatment for these problems.
1. When Jesus was going back to heaven,
He told his disciples,
I leave you with peace,
My peace I give unto you.
Chorus
2. We thank Laurena, servant of God
Who organized this camp
She realized that Rwandans need peace.
Chorus
3. So let’s go and teach peace and love to people
Last conflicts and disputes be fought forever
And then peace will have a dwelling place in this country.
Chorus
A Peace of Life 
if you want to accept Christ as your savior and turn from your sins,you can ask Him to be your savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this: “Lord jesus,i believe you are the son of GOD.thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.i ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and savior. i want to serve you always”.He will protect and guide you always and forever.
And then,
Sweet words are easy to say, Sweet things are easy 2 buy, but sweet people are difficult to find. Life ends when U stop dreaming, hope ends when U stop believing, love ends when U stop caring, friendship ends when U stop sharing. To love without condition,to talk without intention,to give without reason,and to care without expectation. that is the heart of a true friend.
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