Rwanda: Literacy and Reconciliation


Overview


With this project, BSA’s mission partner, African Enterprise, are seeking to address emerging issues linked to a declining commitment to Christian faith, and a resultant decline in moral and ethical foundations. It will do so by addressing the problem areas of basic literacy, Bible literacy, and healing and reconciliation through biblical principles.

Rwanda is a densely populated (with 12 million people), land-locked country, in east-central Africa. Despite dramatic progress in reducing poverty and lifting living standards in the last three decades, Rwanda still ranks 160 out of 189 countries according to the Human Development Index. 13% of young people below 24 are functionally non-literate.

While it’s been decades since the genocide, the trauma of that period is still very close to the surface. The children born during the genocide are now adults, and many are confused by the differing narratives around the massacres and reconciliation processes. Former prisoners, who were jailed for their involvement in the genocide, are now being released back into the community. Many people are struggling with revived feelings of pain, vengeance and retribution. Social cohesion is elusive.

Statistics

  • 12 million population
  • Ranked 160 out of 189 countries according to the Human Development Index
  • 13% of young people below 24 are functionally non-literate.

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