Rwandan School of Reconciliation

I have been accepted to attend the International School of Reconciliation for Peace Practitioners in Kigali, Rwanda from February 26 - March 15, 2018. 

This experience would help equip me to understand ethnic and racial divisions in communities, how to engage myself in healing and growth, and specific techniques and goals for how to engage in re/conciliation efforts on a community level.

$2200 would help me pay for the following:

$700 for the school, room and board in Rwanda

$1100 approximate for airfare roundtrip

$400 for pre-travel medical needs and international insurance

In my own journey, I have learned to observe more fully how my own community continues to suffer from centuries of racism, hatred and slaughter against indigenous peoples, bigotry and hatred towards immigrants and individuals of different religions, among other things. I am able to see that, if we do not acknowledge, lament and change, these things will continue to tear our communities apart and keep them unsafe spaces where no one is able to thrive to their fullest potential. I am able to fully see how much this hurts the heart of God, who's ultimate vision for this world is that all nations and tongues and tribes live as one, holy body, together in peace. I see that God calls us to walk in the ways of justice-seeking and peace-making to bring His Kingdom to our communities, sometimes even saving us from ourselves. Therefore, I have committed years to working with immigrant and refugee communities, obtaining a Masters in Social Work to have the authority and knowledge to work in reconciliation and community development, and to practicing my own learning and understand my own prejudice so that I can help others to heal as well. This school is another step in my journey of learning how to successfully engage in this work. 

I plan to bring back what I learn from this school and apply tools and skills to community projects and my capstone project to complete my Masters of Social Work program to move our community along the path of racial conciliation efforts.

I greatly appreciate any support that you are able to provide! Every amount is valuable!

For more information, visit:
https://www.lerucher.org/Content/Reconciliation/Reconciliation_School.html