Rwanda Country Information

Fact and Figures

Location - Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of Congo

Capital - Kigali

Population - 11 million

People - Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa 1%

Language - Kinyarwanda, Bantu, French, English, Kiswahili

Religion - Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7%

Literacy rate - 70.4%

Life expectancy - 57.46 years

% Living below $1/day - 60%

Sources The CIA World Fact Book 2008, Compassion International, www.news.bbc.co.uk

Rwanda

Rwanda, affectionately known as the ‘land of a thousand hills’ and once known for its breathtaking scenery, plunging green valleys and endangered gorillas, is more recently known as the scene of modern history’s worst genocide.

After the plane carrying President Juvenal Habyarimana was shot down, 10 April 1994 saw the beginning of 100 days of terrifyingly blatant and systematic slaughter of the dominant Tutsi minority by the Hutu majority.

Every day, almost 10,000 people were killed, and rape was used as a weapon of war. As Rwandans fled across the border to neighbouring countries, the rivers and streets ran red with the blood of its citizens and the international community chose to stay silent.

The legacy left is unspeakable: 50 per cent of the population are children; more than 800,000 are orphans and 20,000 live in child-headed households. AIDS became rampant, the fragile economy stalled and today, Rwandans still carry the physical, emotional and spiritual scars of being forgotten in the time of their greatest need.

The genocide fractured the core of this beautiful nation, yet God’s hand is upon its people; restoring, rebuilding and reconciling lives once torn apart.

Compassion is strategically placed to bring lasting hope and change to Rwanda’s people and especially its children. Compassion began its work here in 1979 and now supports more than 50,180 children through 190 church-based projects. They work to place orphans in families and provide a place of safety and forgiveness for communities to be reconciled and to see Rwanda become a nation of dignity and opportunity once more.

Compassion Rwanda does not have any Child Survival Programmes yet.

Over 50,180 children are currently being assisted in more than 190 Child Sponsorship Programmes in Rwanda.

Compassion Rwanda currently has 34 active Leadership Development Programme students.