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Tuesday, April 13, 2004 Associated Press Rwandan and U.S. students discuss the 1994 genocideBy RODRIQUE NGOWI KIGALI, Rwanda - Rwandan students described the horrors of genocide to American teenagers via a satellite video conference held Tuesday as part of commemorations marking the 10th anniversary of the 1994 slaughter in this central African nation. Students from schools in Atlanta and Indianapolis listened in silence as 16-year-old Ingrid [last name taken out for confidentiality] softly narrated how she ran from gangs of killers who butchered her parents. "The worst thing that ever happened to me is begging for help and not finding it and seeing other people dying, seeing my cousins dying and calling for help and not finding it," [Ingrid], who survived by hiding in the bush, said. More than 500,000 people, mostly minority Tutsis and politically moderate members of the Hutu majority were killed in the genocide, which erupted on April 7, 1994. The massacre was organized by the Hutu-extremist government then in power. Unarmed civilians were hacked, clubbed and shot by government soldiers, Hutu militia and their neighbors spurred on by hate messages broadcast on radios. The video conference was organized by Global Nomads Group, a New York-based nonprofit organization and was intended to give American students a better understanding of Rwanda, the genocide and how Rwandans have moved forward. The group plans to stage eight similar video conferences - dubbed Rwanda Alive - during the next 40 days involving six U.S. schools, said Mark von Sponeck, the head of Global Nomads Group. "It is about reflecting on one of the most shocking chapters of modern history, but also about exploring the dreams of Rwanda's new generation looking to create a positive future for itself," von Sponeck said. Diana, another Rwandan girl, said the conference was important because it gave Rwandans a chance to show a different side to their country. "I want (the American students) to know that not all Rwandans are killers," Diana said during the broadcast. "Here in Rwanda we ... love each other." The students also touched on challenges facing the world's youth today, including drug abuse, the threat of HIV/AIDS and environmental issues. Students from Atlanta tried to explain why narcotics are a problem in their country, saying drugs are readily available, even in schools. "But not all American children are addicted to drugs, I can promise you that," said Amanda, an American girl. During the program, students will also see some of Rwanda's sites via video, including the natural habitat of the nation's rare mountain gorillas, which were made famous by the film "Gorillas in the Mist." "Through this journey, the U.S. students will see the beauty of Rwanda, will see that the country is moving forward and that it is healing after the genocide," von Sponeck told The Associated Press. Six schools from New York state, Georgia, Indiana, Texas and Ohio are taking part in the initiative, while three Rwandan schools are acting as hosts. Copyright 2004 Associated Press |
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