A one and half hours’ drive from Kigali to Kibuye town in the western province will get you to Nyange trading centre, a calm and peaceful place. However, it has a violent past.

This dark past is captured by a memorial site honouring seven students: Bizimana Sylivestre, Mukambaraga Beatrice, Ndemeye Valens, Benimana Herene, Mukarutwaza Seraphine, Uwitwa Ferdinand and Mujawamahoro Marie Chantal.

Ms Chantal is the only 1994 genocide victim among the heroes laid to rest at Nyange. She originated from former Cyangugu province (now Rusizi district), and was buried at the school because her parents could not afford to take her remains back home.

Rwanda is dotted with genocide monuments, but in Nyange, the story is more complicated. During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, at least 2,000 students were killed at Nyange Catholic Church under the command of Father Athanase Seromba — who is now serving 15 years in jail.

However, three years later in 1997, there was a raid on the night of March 18, when remnants of the Interahamwe and ex-FAR (Forces Armees Rwandaise), infiltrated through the Mukura Forest from Democratic Republic of Congo and attacked the school.

The rebels indiscriminately hurled live grenades at students after they refused to identify and separate themselves on ethnic lines. Seven students were killed that night, and the monument at Nyange commemorates their courage and patriotism.

Aloys Muringande, 71, a former teacher and administrator at the Nyange Catholic School said the students were deeply religious because of the school’s teaching on equality, and it is the heroism of these students, which earned them recognition.

Rwandan Heroes are classified into three categories: Imanzi, Imena and Ingenzi. The students of Nyange are classified as Imena heroes. Currently, the government is constructing a memorial site and a monument in the area and according to the Chancellery for Heroes, National Order and Decoration of Honour, there are plans to give a decent burial to the Nyange heroes.

The survivors of the March 18 attack have formed an association — Komezubutwari Association — through which they advocate for health and education benefits for the survivors and the community.

An extraordinary cabinet meeting presided over by President Paul Kagame in January agreed to recognise Nyange Secondary School in Ngororero district as an institution of the brave and construction of a monument in memory of the Nyange students is under way.

“We are glad that the government has finally recognised the importance of our heroes. We expect to see more visitors and tourists visiting this place,” said Jean Baptiste Hakorimana, a former student of Nyange School.