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2007 film project: Rwandan Voices | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Aussie teenagers It's not hard to find a wonderful spirit in this new generation. Since finishing VCE in 2004 Corrie has spent a total of nine months in southern Uganda, living mainly in rural areas and teaching basic sustainable farming techniques.
Deborah is about to launch into Year 12 exams. At the same time, she's making final plans for a gap year, volunteering in a health clinic in Brazil.
They're just two of thousands of young Australians who take a look at the big global issues of war, poverty and injustice and decide that they want to engage with a world beyond their own comfort zones.
Young and idealistic? Almost certainly. But they come back with stories of amazing people, tropical bugs and hair-raising bus journeys. They will have laughed and danced with new friends, cried tears of frustration and gained a new appreciation for the difficulties faced by most people on this planet as they try to make a life for themselves and their families.
This project is about encouraging that spirit and making connections between teenagers in Australia and Rwanda. It is about telling stories which connect with their search for worthwhile tools to make a difference in the world, and in their own lives.
Does it work? Can things like openness, understanding and forgiveness make a difference in broken communites? The idea is being road-tested in Rwanda right now at the extreme end of human experience - among the survivors of genocide. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Divided and broken communities are heartbreakingly common.
In the Rwandan genocide, almost one million people died in 100 days of killing. The devastation was wide and deep. Neighbour killed neighbour, millions fled their homes, infrastructure collapsed. No wonder that one observer described the returning survivors as "the walking dead".
In November 2007 a small documentary team visited Rwanda to film the stories of genocide survivors - both victims and perpetrators. Thirteen years on, many Rwandese have established a remarkable track record for their skill and sensitivity in supporting recovery within communities and giving life back to those walking dead.
So this project is not about food, medicine or shelter. It is about listening to their stories and the work they have done to deal with the universal issues of justice, revenge, alienation and even forgiveness.
As I fret over petrol prices and the speed of my internet connection, it's worth taking a reality check. Their courage and maturity deserves my attention... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In 2008, we're be working with teachers and student leaders to develop online curriculum content and educational links between students and teachers in Australia and Rwanda. This will include raising global awareness and encouraging student-initiated fundraising for education and peace-building projects in Rwanda.
During filming, three young Rwandans worked with us. Laura, aged 19, and Olivier, 20, are both experienced translators and their warmth, skill and support was invaluable. Annet has had years of experience running youth reconciliation programs in Rwanda, including large arts/music/dance events for over 2,000 people. For Annet, that money will help her complete a Bachelor of Social Psychology and allow her to continue work as a peace-builder. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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John Steward lived in Rwanda for 16 months from March 1996 as Manager for Reconciliation and Peacebuilding for World Vision. Now living in Melbourne, he visits Rwanda every six months as a consultant for World Vision Rwanda.
On this visit, he was joined by Dave Fullerton and his daughter Rachel, also from Melbourne, who will apply their film-making and multimedia skills to giving a voice to these remarkable Rwandans.
We'd love to hear your thoughts. Please drop us a line. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Copyright 2006 John Steward and David Fullerton | contact us | ||
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