June 16
On this day in 1976, nearly ten thousand black students from Soweto, South Africa, marched the streets to protest the poor quality of their education. Hundreds of these innocent students were shot by security forces. The two week protest that followed was called the Soweto Uprising and many lost their lives or were badly injured.
Since 1991, the Day of the African Child, has been celebrated on June 16 to commemorate those killed during the Soweto Uprising in South Africa and to recognize the courage of the students who marched for their right to an education.
For me … this day of the African Child is an opportunity to raise awareness for the ongoing need to improve the education of children living in Rwanda.
Children represent a large percentage of the Rwandan population, with 42.9% of the population between ages 0 and 14 and the median age of 18.8.
In addition, children make up 83.5 percent of Rwanda’s rural population, often living in very vulnerable circumstances.
Serge and I are very committed to education in Rwanda. Since 2004, we have supported education in all shapes and sizes:
Teaching street kids to hold a pencil to form letters to write their name for the first time
Building a library in the Kiziba Refugee Camp and stocking it with thousands of books and staff to support teachers, students, pastors, English classes in the camp
Giving stipends to refugee teachers to teach students in the camp.
Tutoring students
Computer classes
Paying school fees for many students along with school supplies, uniforms, transport, pocket money - primary, secondary and university levels
Mentoring high school students
Holiday programs to learn the Bible, develop character and have some fun
Sunday school learning - belonging to a community
Serge always says ... 'To BREAK cycles of poverty, we MUST educate.'
Education is knowledge.
Education brings power.
Education gives opportunities.
Education stabilizes families.
Education changes a country.
Education changes a country.
So on this day... as I reflect on all the 'educational activities' which we are involved with here in Rwanda ... I'm blessed and humbled.
I know without a doubt that lives are being changed forever... this country is being changed forever.
1 comment:
Thank you Jen and Serge! These are some of the important things we need to be doing to uplift our community especially those who may not have basic opportunities which we take for granted. We remember this day in SA as one that pushed forward the anti-apartheid struggle although it cost children their lives. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the sacrifice they made - so that the present generation can enjoy the right to a better education in SA.
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