Gorillas
Rwanda was affectionately known as the ‘land of a thousand hills’, famous for its breathtaking scenery, plunging green valleys and endangered gorillas.
Crosses
Even churches were not safe. Many Tutsi people went to the churches in the hope of finding safety, but even there they were killed.
Child
The genocide left thousands of children homeless; many of them became street children or working in other people’s homes, especially in the capital, Kigali.
Malnourished
Almost half of all children under the age of five suffer from chronic malnutrition as they can’t get enough of the right foods to keep them healthy.
Work
Many children in Rwanda begin primary school but do not finish as they’re needed to help with work.
Grace
This is Uwimana Grace, born in a refugee camp in the Congo where her family went during the genocide.
Playing
Here, the eleven year old is playing with her siblings outside their house in Kigali. She goes to a Compassion project and dreams of becoming a teacher.
Hope
Rwanda’s children can bring hope to the sadness of the genocide. They bring hope of a happier and more peaceful future.
Compassion
Compassion works to place orphans in families and provide a place of safety for all children.
Jean’s father was imprisoned for twelve years because of his involvement in the genocide. His mother describes Jean’s Compassion sponsor as "the right hand of this family" during that time, supporting the family with gifts that allowed them to buy cattle to sustain themselves with.