Kigali on the Internet

Kigali is portrayed as a beacon of hope and future prosperity in many websites online. While perusing all the websites, words like "economic center" and "future" keep on popping up. Though there is still wealth disparities and many problems in Kigali, from just googling Kigali online, I would not have guessed. The images on most websites and even on Google Images to be of the financial district, with large, high-rises and a few skyscrapers here and there. Kigali seems to be looking forward all the time, though with the amazing Kigali Genocide Memorial Center as one of the top hits, one cannot forget her bloody past. But nevertheless, Kigali has come very far over the past twenty years, something that astounds me every time I think about it.

A futuristic depiction of what Kigali hopes to be.

The first website I chose was an obvious one. It is the Kigali City website (http://www.kigalicity.gov.rw/). Here, you'll find news updates, basic and random facts, city profile, members of the government, and even job opportunities. Though it does not look as streamlined as most US city websites, it does function similarly to any other city website. In fact, it reminds me a little of www.boston.com. On the website, the city if portrayed in mostly a positive light in its history and description. There is a small blurb about the genocide, but only that there was one, giving absolutely no detail of it whatsoever. It discusses the future of Kigali and how it is quickly becoming the premier city in East Africa, if not the continent. There are news articles that are not always positive, but for the most part, they are. For example, some of the current headlines are "Masaka residents welcome road construction" and "Kigali starts public hygiene campaign in schools." It portrays the city as progressive and proactive, which is not much different from all the other websites. Kigali also seems to have an active sports culture, hosting an East African Local Authorities Sports and Culture games last year. The websites paints Kigali as a well-functioning, happening city.

The second website is a much different perspective, though still a very positive one. It is a website for expats in Kigali (http://www.livinginkigali.com/). This website makes Kigali seems like an irresistible, exciting and active place, all the time. They discuss the cafe scene; review the restaurants, bars, and clubs; provide a centralized list of volunteer opportunities, best places to shop; give tips on spending and money management; etc. It's a haven for expats, and it even makes me want to drop everything to live in Kigali. The homepage depicts people of all races interacting with each other. It truly makes Kigali looks like an amazing city.

The third website is something very very specific. It is blog of Kigali Restaurant Reviews (http://kigalirestaurantreviews.blogspot.com/). I chose this website because it depicts a very specific niche of Kigali, but it also provides a very personal take on it since it's a personal blog. Though it describes very little of the functionality of the city, it does show that Kigali has a lively restaurant scene, something that I would consider a luxury. Not only that, but to have a sustainable blog, it means that there are plenty of restaurants in Kigali to review and that there are new ones arising often. That gives a sense of a bustling city, and an entrepreneurial one.

The fourth website is another western perspective. It is the Lonely Planet website for Kigali (http://www.lonelyplanet.com/rwanda/kigali). I chose this website because this website perpetuates a lot of opinions about Kigali. If somebody chooses to travel to Kigali, the odds of them using a Lonely Planet guide is extremely high. This website gives some of the more practical things about Kigali, like how to get around, how to communicate with others, what cultural taboos are out there, and how to stay healthy and be safe, etc. Overall, it brings a certain reality to Kigali, stating that there is still crime in Kigali and one has to be cautious as you would traveling anywhere else. It describes Kigali as being a rather expensive country, relative to its neighbors. But yet again, it showcases a lively nightlife and suggests tons of activities to do.

The last website is another personal blog, but one of a Reuters reporter for Rwanda (http://kigaliwire.com/). Now I like this blog a lot because, once again, it gives a personal touch to Kigali, but also a somewhat more objective one, since it is from a reporter. But even more so than the words, I really appreciate the images. The images are beautiful, but not in the classic way. The blogger takes serious photos of real images, and shows them in a humanistic way. I really appreciate that touch. Additionally, he reports on stories he finds interesting, whether they show Kigali positively, or negatively. That is something few websites I found do.