a peace of fun
Hello Friday. Hello Fun Photo. Welcome to our new column. Each Friday we’ll feature a fun shot. Today’s photo was taken by Germaine, one of our gafotozi, as part of her essay, “the environment and our relationship”. It’s also one of the photos in our new postcard series, a peace of life in rwanda. If you’ve got business or travel contacts, we’d love to connect. Enjoy the photo – and have some fun today! It’s Friday!
a peace of fun
A little more about our featured photographer today: Germaine (15 years old) loves nature and gardening and school. Her favourite subjects are biology and chemistry. On holidays, she likes to cultivate bananas to sell to help her mom. She says that she wants to become a doctor because “I see lots of sickness like malaria, AIDS, and parasites.” She lost her father and young brother (he was one year older than her) in the genocide and now lives alone with her mom.
a peace of dignity
a private moment: mom takes her daily dose of medicine, antiretroviral therapy to prolong and enhance the quality of her life. She is one of the most important people in my life. - Princesse, age 14
Imagine surviving a genocide only to face yet another deadly battle….AIDS. Both have left a wake of orphans and widows….and lingering fear and stigma.
Youth will be discussing AIDS and other sources of hardship and conflict at the peace camp, and working on creative presentations to share their learning and their personal stories.
We look forward to featuring the photo essays of our gafotozi, including 14 year-old Princesse. Pictured is her best shot - one of the people who are important in her life – her mom.
Princesse is a courageous young girl speaking out on the issue of HIV and AIDS. Her story offers hope but also a challenge.
After suffering much illness, and learning that her mom has the virus (HIV), Princesse was encouraged by community mentors to also get tested.
Tragically, they discovered that she too had the virus – another case of mother-to-child transmission that could have been prevented.
More awareness, education and access to medical care is needed. There are lots of “could have’s” in the fight against AIDS — and lots of complicating factors, like extreme poverty. We can (and must) do more in this global challenge.
While Princesse is one of the more fortunate ones to access treatment, she faces a whole new set of problems. Most daunting is the lack of nutritious food and increasing periods of drought. ”It is difficult for me to take my medicine without food,” she shares, “I always feel very tired.” Without food, especially protein, fruits and vegetables, her body cannot properly absorb the strong medicine nor ward off other diseases. She also travels (often walking) long distances for regular medical care.
Stigma is another challenge, but her community is slowly starting to talk about and better cope with HIV/AIDS in their midst largely as a result of the efforts of mentors and the involvement of youth.
We hope to have Princesse and the gafotozi on hand to personally share their photos and experience with other youth at the peace camp. You can make this happen. Please consider an online donation today.
And join the challenge….we’re just days away from something really sweet….if you dare…to help youth working for peace in Rwanda. Email apeaceoflife@ymail.com for more details or check back next week to download your challenge!
p.s. Also just days away is the start of the AIDS 2010 Conference. Learn more about what’s happening on a global level as well as great news in research for a vaccine.
Respond today. You can be actively involved in meeting the global challenge of HIV/AIDS when you Become a Guardian of Hope, one of the grassroots, church-based programs on the frontlines.
a peace of memory
a peace of story
These are difficult days as Rwanda enters a time of commemoration. Crucial to remembrance is the sharing of stories in ways that can bring healing and build peace. We will be exploring storytelling, including the power of film, at our youth peace camp in November.
Pictured: Edouard Bamporiki, one of Rwanda’s talented, young filmmakers, offers an interesting, fresh perspective on reconciliation with his new film, Long Coat, which was shown as part of the official commemoration at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali last year. The film also received honourable mention at Hillywood, Rwanda’s up-and-coming film festival held around the country.
We’re planning our own “Hillywood” event in Toronto to raise funds for the youth peace camp. Stay tuned for more details!!!
Special note of thanks: We are so thankful for the recent outpouring of support from two small groups on Vancouver Island (you know who you are!) and Chemainus Calvary Baptist Church. May your commitment encourage others to invest in youth working for peace in Rwanda. Donate today or post a comment. We’d love to hear from you. Email us at apeaceoflife@ymail.com.
We leave you with a reflection: “The horror and brutality were extreme in Rwanda. That’s why when we talk about reconciliation, when we talk about forgiveness, we are not talking about an easy thing here. We are talking about shedding miles of tears before one is able to forgive. And to repent of such cruelty requires divine motivation and the divine presence just to attempt it. It cannot be done without God.” – John Rucyahana, The Bishop of Rwanda
a peace of hope
a peace of hope
A look ahead…
We’re hoping to hold a youth peace camp over school break, the end of November.
It will be near a significant site - a school at Nyange where students refused to separate. 13 were killed. More details to be posted shortly.
Email us at apeaceoflife@ymail.com if you’re interested in helping with fundraising or becoming one of our partners in peace. We’re looking for schools, camps and church groups interested in having a unique partnership with a school in Rwanda.
Pictured: Some of the members of Amizero (Hope), a street kids ministry in Kigali started by one young woman, Epaprodite Nzunpize. They are learning traditional dance, drama and poetry and hope to be able to earn money with their new skills. Look for them to be one of the groups to perform at the camp!
a peace of exhibit
a peace of exhibit
a peace of life workshop wrapped up with a village exhibit to showcase our students’ best shots…each photographer got a chance to talk about their photo essay and share more about their experience
a peace of exhibit in the community
over 100 people in the community including the village chief and government official, were on hand to celebrate…many were emotionally moved by the photos
a peace of exhibit guest judge
Explaining his choice for best pic was one of our guest judges, Dominique Habimana, AEBR Youth President, with the photographer, Germaine. Her photo essay was on the environment.
We look forward to collaborating with AEBR Youth Committee on future projects including a youth peace camp in November 2o10. We hope to have some of our young photographers also participate in this event.
Coming soon…a website featuring the young photographers and their photo essays. Here’s a sneak peek posted by Johnny Lam, professional photographer.
Help us raise funds for more youth media projects including a peace camp. Post a comment or email us at apeaceoflife@ymail.com
