Rwandan Genocide

In April 1994, Rwanda (a country half the size of the state of Maryland) experienced one of histories most atrocious genocides. In just 100 days, 1 million ethnic Tutsi and moderate Hutu sympathizers lost their lives to the hands of extremist Hutu militia.

The indescribable actions of the Hutu militia were fueled by years of ethnic tension, a division created by European colonists that chose to pit Rwandan Hutu and Tutsis against each other in an effort to control the country from within.

Ethnic Tutsis, comprising approximately 14% of the population, enjoyed a privileged status in Rwanda during the period of colonization. Hutu's however, were considered to be of lower status and lived in the shadow of their Tutsi neighbors.

The division of the two peoples came to a head when Rwanda became an independent nation in 1962, and the once downtrodden Hutu majority assumed power, swapping roles with the Tutsi minority. What followed was a 30 year hate campaign that lead to ethnic cleansing and thousands of Rwandan Tutsi seeking refuge in both nearby African countries and the West.

The genocide that left so many innocent people either dead, orphaned or widowed has now become the focal point of the global community.

In the wake of civil war Rwanda made a commitment to national restoration. The government called upon the church to lead the country in reconciliation and asked the outside world to support the nation as it looks to eradicate poverty, disease and illiteracy.

Land of a Thousand Hills is ready to help. Are you?