Why You Should Support Rwanda, Africa

By: Natalie HewittT/Th 9-10:15

The Genocide

• Power struggle between Hutus & Tutsi

• 100 days, April 6 - July 16, 1994

• Approx. 1 million people died

Cont.

• About 500,000 women were raped• 20,000 children were born• 67% of women were raped– HIV & Aids

• Ended when the Rwandan Patriotic Front took over– Trained military group

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The Results

• A whole generation was wiped out– ages of the survivors between 14-21

• Many survived children stopped school• 75,000 of survivors were orphaned• 40,000 survivors, still without shelter• Monthly income of less than $8

The Recovery/Gacaca Law

• Gacaca, a traditional community court system, was formed– 11,000 community courts– Believed gacaca delivered Justice & Reconciliation

• Cheap and efficient

Development

• Homes, roads & community, slowly being re-built

• Popular interest: healing, forgiveness, & reconciliation

• Got rid of the tribes– Became one country regardless of ethnic identity

• In 13 years, Rwanda’s economy has expanded 600%

Rwanda Now

• Walk miles for fresh water• Very good soil for farming– Beans– Rice

• Kids walk miles to go to school– No shoes

• Houses built of tin, cloth, mud, etc.• No electricity

Cont.

• Even after the genocide and everything they’ve been through, it was amazing to see how happy they were

• Having nothing, and still being thankful for one another

• Very caring