Orphans in Rwanda
The Past
During the 1990s, Rwanda experienced severe ethnic violence between the Hutus majority and the Tutsi minority. Within 100 days, from April to June 1994, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans were killed (approximately 10% of the population). Sexual violence, targeting primarily Tutsi women and girls, constituted a central part of the genocidal strategy. Thousands of women raped during the genocide suffered from HIV/AIDS. Countless children became orphans.
The Present
The genocide, along with HIV/AIDS and other issues, have left more than 1.25 million children without parents or a support system to nurture their growth. Many children are living in child-headed families. Currently, Rwanda is in the process of rebuilding and providing support for orphans. The Rwandan government, NGOs, and several individuals are attempting to solve the issue. The Nibakure Children’s Village (NCV) is dedicated to being a part of the solution.
The Hope: Nibakure Children's Village (NCV)
Nibakure, which means “let them grow, give them hope,” is an orphanage with a mission of providing orphans with housing, health care, and education. The founder of the NCV, Floriane Robins-Brown will be speaking about the project at Lawrence University.
Learn More!
About Rwanda
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1070265.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/1288230.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/3586409.stm
About Floriane Brown
http://www.afrikangoddess.com/florianeinterview.htm
http://www.afrikangoddess.com/florianerobinsbrown.htm
About the NCV project
http://www.nibakure.org/
Contact: Sylwia Matlosz
sylwia.m.matlosz@lawrence.edu
