Take a closer look at a Rwandese village

 

Overview: Why was the Nelson Mandela Peace Village established? Have students conduct further research to learn more about the history of the relationship between the Hutus and the Tutsis. Challenge students to determine how the existence of this village exemplifies Mandela's philosophy.

Curriculum Connections: World History

Have students read the CNNfyi.com article "Rwandan village breaks down Hutu/Tutsi divisions," and answer the following questions:

1. Where is the Nelson Mandela Peace Village located? Why did the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) establish this village? What two Rwandese ethnic groups engaged in violence against each other in 1994? Who lives in the Mandela Peace Village? How do you think the personal losses suffered by each of the village's residents affects their relationships with one another?

2. Why were literacy programs established at this village? Do you think they were important for the success of the village? Explain. Who is Fabrice Rukundo? How is he representative of the younger population of the village?

3. What happened to Edisa Barakagwira's family? When asked if she is Hutu or Tutsi, she replies," I am Rwandese." Ask students: What is the meaning and the significance of this statement? Point out to students that Rwanda was divided by civil war in the 1990s between its two different cultures, the Hutus and the Tutsis. Have students use online and print resources to learn more about the history of the relationship between the Tutsis and Hutus. Then ask: Why do you think both Hutus and Tutsis can live together in the Nelson Mandela Peace Village?

4. Who is Nelson Mandela? Refer students to the first Web site below to learn more about Nelson Mandela's philosophy and his lifelong work. Then ask: How does the existence of this village exemplify Mandela's philosophy? Discuss.