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School chronicles reflections of UK public and personalities on Rwanda Genocide
Hampton, London – February 2009
Students from Hampton School, London, are to mark the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide in April 2009 with a unique remembrance project: Why Should We Remember?
The project is asking people to respond to the question: 'Why should we remember' the genocide that claimed the lives of an estimated 1 million Tutsi and moderate Hutu Rwandans in 100 days of killing in 2004.
The students aim to collect as many responses as possible. The target is 10,000 responses, one for every thousand victims of the genocide. The responses will be exhibited at the Rwanda Memorial and Genocide Centre in Kamonyi, demonstrating solidarity of the British people with the survivors of the genocide, and remembrance of the victims. To enhance the impact of the project even further the pupils are approaching companies to donate a penny for every response collected – the money raised will sponsor orphans of the genocide through school and university.
The project will result in a sequel to the short book published by the students in 2008 which included interviews with genocide survivors and reflections from over fifty personalities from across the UK ranging from Tony Blair to Jeremy Paxman. Proceeds from the sale of the book (priced £5) are being donated to Survivors Fund (SURF) which aids victims of the genocide in Rwanda.
The students are appealing for the personal responses of people across the UK, which can be submitted through http://www.whyshouldweremember.org. Copies of the book, and further resources on the project, are also available on the website.
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