Will you forgive a murderer who killed your family? 

It is certainly difficult to do so. However, there are millions of people who have been facing this dilemma in Rwanda. That is why Rwandan students walked together to raise awareness about genocide and wars and also not to let the same mistakes happen in the future anywhere in the world.

On Thursday, April 7, Rwandan students at University of Arkansas kicked off the Rwanda Awareness Week with a movie screening, As We Forgive. The movie captured two women’s struggles to forgive perpetrators who killed their families during the genocide. After the movie, audience had a chance to ask questions to the movie director, Laura Waters Hinson, who was our special guest speaker that night. They also enjoyed the session with Denis Rugira, a student from Rwanda who helped to answer to some of questions.

Laura Waters Hinson said, “I’m so impressed that students have been able to put these programs together.” She continued, “I’m really encouraged because it shows that there is solidarity among the students here on campus with the Rwandan students. This is the most important time of the year for the Rwandan people to commemorate the 17^th anniversary for the genocide.”

On Thursday, April 14, Rwandan students walked together from Holcombe International Living Learning Community to the Peace Fountain to remember those genocide victims and also to send a message to the campus community: Never Forget, Never Again. Rwanda Awareness Week concluded its week with inspiring speeches by Ines Nizeye, a student from Rwanda, and Michael Freeman, Director of International Students & Scholars.

Ines Nizeye said “Love needs to be taught to young generation. In every culture, every religion, every language, to the poor and the rich, to the educated and the illiterate, to the young and old, from now to the generations to come, let the seed of love be planted in our hearts.”  She emphasized the importance of education stating “Open your eyes, learn what other countries are going through, and judge them with your consciousness and not based on what you hear. Travel around the world because the experience away from your comfort zone will shape who you will be tomorrow. Learn to be dependent. Learn to spend time meditating. Learn to be advised by your heart.”

Michael Freeman, who has visited Rwanda, stated in his speech: “Reconciliation is a struggle. Forgiveness is a process. Reconciliation is taking hold in Rwanda. It is happening in villages, cities, prefectures, countries around the globe. We walked today to remember that forgiveness is a process. Forgiveness has a cost. Forgiveness is the highest form of love.”

Rwandan students hope that people will continue to think about peace.

The Rwanda Project: Through the Eyes of Children has been displayed at the Mullins Library. It is a project of continuing photographic workshops for children who live at the Imbabazi Orphanage in Mutura, Rwanda. Provided with cameras and a chance to express themselves through photography, the children's work is visually stunning and informative, providing the viewer with a window into their lives. The U of A community can enjoy those beautiful photos taken by children in Rwanda until Friday, April 29.

Please enjoy projects by those promising children and feel their passion through their art.