Rwanda: Educating Children in the Genocide to Promote Growth

Considered one of the most significnat historical events of the 20th century, the Rwanda Genocide is a time in history many individuals, today, continue to suffer from the mental anguish. With over one million deaths attributed to the Rwanda Genocide, it is crucial that we ensure our children understand this significant event in African history. In doing so, we may work to avoid such future catastrophic events.

The Republic of Rwanda, populated with over eight million people, is a tropical countryside with rolling hills and mountains and varied climates. With significant rainfall, many international travelers venture to Rwanda to experience the lightning shows common with Rwanda thunderstorms. But, at one time, this beautiful tropical area was not the envy of travel destinations.

Rwanda history has not always seemed a pleasant travel destination for travelers. Within the 20th century, Rwanda experienced a significant historical genocide attributed to a civil war between the Tutsis and the Hutus. At that time, traveling to Rwanda was highly discouraged with many international travelers left stranded within the country. Occuring over a relatively short period of time, approximately three months, this area of Africa suffered the greatest loss of life on record. Created by a clash in class, based on ethnicity, the civil war began through a policital move by the Hutus to gain recognition and power. What transpired over the next three months left both sides of the civil war at a loss for words. With over eight million people slaughtered, iIn the end, a government reformation took place with representation including not only Tutsis but now the Hutus. Was such a genocide needed to achieve these results? What will our children learn from this genocide event?

Educating children in the history of African culture can not come without a look into the most significant massacre on human record. Finding resource materials to educate children on the genocide of Rwanda is oftentimes difficult to do. For parents and educators, teaching children the basic principle of the United Nation's development of the International Criminal Tribunal will encourage a more in depth conversation into the basis for the development and the events which preceded the U.N.'s involvement.

For the security of our World, educating children in the concept of genocide, in addition to the issues which preceded the events will ensure our children learn the value of tolerance and avoid violence in the name of negotiation and peace. In doing so, Rwanda, as with all other areas of Africa, will remain a common tourist attraction for many years providing peace and tranquility.