Rwandan genocide survivor visits New Zealand schools

Over the next few weeks, school children throughout New Zealand will hear first hand how children their own age survive a civil war in their own country. World Vision worker, Jacqueline Uwumukize is visiting New Zealand in the lead up to this year's 40 Hour Famine, and will be speaking in schools in the Waikato, Wellington, Paraparaumu, Wanganui, Hutt Valley, Invercargill, Central Otago, Christchurch and Auckland.

Jacqueline Uwumukize works with children who are still traumatised by the Rwandan genocide of 1994, and she knows firsthand how precious peace is. She herself is a survivor of the genocide.

Jacqueline is World Vision's Famine speaker this year, and is spending the weeks leading up to the Famine travelling throughout New Zealand speaking to schools and groups about her work with orphans and vulnerable children in Rwanda.

"Sometimes I cannot imagine how some Rwandan children, especially those left to head households, who suffered from the 1994 war and genocide, would survive if it had not been for World Vision's intervention," she says. Intervention funded in part by money raised by New Zealand's 40 Hour Famine.

"Having received training in tailoring, welding and carpentry skills (funded by New Zealand) these fortunate children are enjoying the houses built with New Zealand funds are earning significant income for their families as they apply the skills they have acquired."

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