This week started in an inspiring manner. On Monday evening I, along with the other members of Carnegie Global Oregon, had the privilege and honor of being able to interact with Ambassador Joyce Leader. Ambassador Leader came to speak and share a meal with us. She worked in the State Department for decades and was in Rwanda just prior to, and during the first 48 hours of, the genocide that was committed in the country. The conversation the CGO shared with Ambassador Leader meant a lot to me because of my personal summer plans. I am biking across the country this summer with nineteen other students for the Ride Against AIDS, an event to raise funds and awareness for FACE AIDS. FACE AIDS is a non-profit organization dedicated to enabling and empowering youth to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. All funds raised by the Ride will go directly to FACE AIDS grassroots community programs in Rwanda—hence the connection between Ambassador Leader’s career and my ambitions.

Through conversation about an incredibly complex topic and dialogue over the dynamics of the nuanced conflict, I came closer to grasping a part of Rwanda’s history that is recent enough to still impact the individuals FACE AIDS works hard to support every day. I now feel more connected to the people I have claimed to empathize with when telling people about the Ride.

Monday was a beautiful reminder that in every human conflict or strife, there are humans involved. Their narratives and stories matter, and so do their histories. Suffering is real, but so is hope—and FACE AIDS is providing that hope to youth in Rwanda and their communities.

I am renewing my commitment to use my energy and skills to honor those who I can help to empower. Thank you to the CGO and Ambassador Leader!