In the 1990s Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo suffered brutal violence and conflicts. Although Rwanda has maintained peace, ongoing effects, fighting and instability continue in the region today. Importantly, fuelling this violence are histories of colonial oppression, based on war, profit, division and injustice.
Amidst many tragedies, one consequence of conflict in the Great Lakes region of Africa was the rapid spread of HIV. During the 100-day genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994, an estimated 150,000 people contracted HIV.
Rwanda Youth Music began in 2012 in response to the legacies of genocide in Rwanda, and the ongoing cycles of violence in the region.
Rebuilding the necessary structures
The structures necessary to maintain the safety of children and youth often break down in times of armed conflict – leaving children and youth exposed to risks including violence, abuse and sexual exploitation.
We work to put these structures back together – partnering with communities and official bodies to safeguard the fundamental rights of children and youth and strengthen child and youth protection systems.
Photo: photographer
Rwanda Youth Music empowers young people to be actors for change within their own communities and beyond. We build the skills of these local actors in order to provide lasting changes to individuals, communities, and to the infrastructure of care provision in Rwanda.
Over the past 12 years, Rwanda Youth Music has reached over 50,000 children and youth, focussing on communities that face multiple vulnerabilities for their futures, such as in neighbourhoods living in poverty, those living in refugee camps, former street children, orphans, and young people facing challenges to their wellbeing and health. Many of these challenges are cross-cutting, resulting in multiple points of vulnerability for young people who face vastly reduced opportunities for their futures. We work with these children and youth, providing opportunities for creativity, expression and communication. This can be transformative.