The Akilah Institute for Women

Rwanda has undergone a staggering economic and social transformation in the years since the 1994 genocide and civil war. Today Rwanda is stable, and is striving to become the IT hub of eastern and central Africa. In the fall of 2008, Rwanda became the first country in the world with a female majority in Parliament (56% to be exact, including the position of Speaker of Parliament).

However, today is the most critical time in Rwanda’s rebuilding process because the children of the genocide are now teenagers.

They are in need of practical skills and experience that will enable them to find meaningful employment and build a promising future for themselves.

• 57% of Rwandans live below the poverty line (defined by the United Nations as an income of less than one dollar per day).

• Although the genocide was nearly 15 years ago, the consequences of this event are profound and lasting. An entire generation of educated teachers, doctors, and professionals was wiped out and today 67% of all Rwandans are under twenty-five years of age.

• Only 10% of all Rwandans complete high school.

Stephen Kinzer’s A Thousand Hills