Forgiveness is the most powerful unpopular weapon against terrorism and atrocity,Jean Paul Samputu, Founder of the ‘Gathering of Forgiveness:A Step to Reconciliation’ and of MIZERO Children of Rwanda Pangea Day Event
Jean Paul Samputu has had many chances to speak this important truth. He was invited at the UN to help launch the year 2009 as the Year of Reconciliation. Back in March, World Vision Rwanda invited him to share this message of forgiveness with widows, orphans, churches and students in High Schools. And again in August, in the refugee camps of Kenya on an 8 day Peace Building Tour. MIZEROs vision is to build, bring and spread hope to Rwandan children (Mizero means HOPE in the native language of Rwanda) through the message of forgiveness as a step to reconciliation. This year we embark on a USA tour that will begin with a concert at the United Nations in New York..
In February 2009 (we will also be holding one in July), we would like you to join MIZERO in proclaiming this message of Forgiveness. This time, help us proclaim this important message of Peace on the many hilltops of Rwanda itself!
In commemoration of the 15th year of the Rwandan genocide
And in recognition of the UN declaration
that the year 2009 be a YEAR OF RECONCILIATION
Join us in Rwanda!
For the Gathering of Forgiveness, A Step to Reconciliation
February 10th through the 18th, 2009
In addition to conferences and field trips, together we will launch a Garden of Forgiveness
In a period of 100 days in 1994, nearly ONE MILLION innocent women, men and children died. Leaving many widowed and children orphaned and traumatized. It is our hope to continue bringing healing to this nation by creating a Culture of Forgiveness and encouraging and empowering leaders.
You will be given the opportunity to hear testimonies from survivors and perpetrators of the genocide, men, women and children who have learned the meaning of forgiveness and repentance. Find out how you can encourage, support and empower Rwandans, from the youngest vulnerable child to our most influential Rwandan leaders.
It is our hope and it would be an honor if you will consider joining us on this journey. And just imagine all this in the context of our introducing you to the beauty and culture of our marvelous Rwanda, the Land of a thousand hills, the land where an ancient Rwandan saying states that: God comes and sleeps every night in Rwanda.
Thank you kindly,
Lynn Beaudin
GATHERING OF FORGIVENESS: A Step to Reconciliation
438 275 5147
Bringing, Building, Spreading HOPE
Gathering of Forgiveness, Feb. 10th to the 18th, 2009, Itinerary, Cost & other Details
Arrival on Tuesday, February 10 and depart Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Conference: Evening of the 10th through evening of the 13th: Variety of speakers and artists to address our theme of forgiveness and reconciliation:
Speakers
Secretary of the Central African region of the International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of Tropical Forests and Executive Director of the Rwandan Cultural Conservation Act, Charles Uwiragiye RWANDA
Leadership-Life Coach & former director of World Vision Rwanda, Mr. Kofi Hagan RWANDA
Founder of Gathering, activist & musician Jean Paul SamputuRWANDA
YOUTH FOR A CHANGE in Rwanda : Peace & Love Proclaimers RWANDA
Garden of Forgiveness, Executive director Rev. Lyndon Harris http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvPlDPTFR0M NEW YORK, USA
Amahoro-Africa Founder, Claude Nikondeha (http://amahoro-africa.org/) BURUNDI
Director of the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mr. Yiping Zhou (http://tcdc1.undp.org/) NEW YORK, USA
Author of WHY FORGIVE Johann Christoph Arnold NEW YORK, USA (http://www.plough.com/ebooks/whyforgive.html) and (http://www.breakingthecycle.com/)
President and CEO of World Vision Canada, Dave Toycen CANADA http://www.worldvision.ca/ABOUT-US/MEET-THE-PRESIDENT/es/MeetthePresident.aspx
ARTISTS
Filmmaker Ayuub Kasasa Mago presenting the film WE ARE ALL RWANDANS http://www.weareallrwandans.com/ RWANDA
MIZERO Children of Rwanda (http://www.mizerochildren.org) and Samputu RWANDA
Musician and founder of Music for Peace Africa, Sally Malinda (http://www.musicforpeaceafrika.com/) KENYA
Rwandan genocide survivor and visual artist, Rupert Bazambanza (http://migs.concordia.ca/BiographyofRupertBazambanza.htm) CANADA-RWANDA
Interactive and visual artist, Nancy Rebal FORGIVENESS STATION 2 (http://nancyrebal.com/port/portfolios/stations1.shtml) USA
Documentarians will share their vision of the document they are filming during the Gathering
1. Ayuub Kasasa Mago RWANDA
2. Jean-Pierre Guyot, CANADA
3. Jonathan Cummings, USA
Other speakers will be announced as they are confirmed.
Most importantly, perpetrators and survivors of genocide that have forgiven each other, repented, and reconciled will share their experiences. Others who are on that journey at its various stages and those who have difficulties with that journey will also have the opportunity to express their apprehension and share with us in a safe non-judgmental climate.
Field trips : will include trips within Rwanda and to nearby Burundi and Uganda. Depart morning of the 14th, then return to Kigali the evening of the 16th
1) Visit orphans and widows and the places where they live. 2) MIZERO Children will sing and dance 3) Visit various genocide memorial and museum sites throughout Rwanda 4) Trips will be to “peace villages” in Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda where perpetrators live alongside victims. 5) Visit various Rwandan places of worship
6) Launch of the Garden of Forgiveness
These field trips will allow us to put what we have learned at the conference into concrete action.
Launching of Garden of Forgiveness: February 17th In collaboration with http://www.gofnyc.org, we will launch and celebrate the inauguration of the land that will become the Garden of Forgiveness in Rwanda.
Gathering of Forgiveness: Day of Public Declarations & concluding Concert: February 18th : 1) The native people of Rwanda, called the Batwa (pygmy tribe) saw one third of their people decimated during the genocide. Some individuals have expressed their wish to address this issue of discrimination and the lack of recognition of the Batwas loss during the genocide. (http://www.batwa pygmy) 2) A former UN Peacekeeper and Australian veteran, who was present during the genocide has requested to be given an opportunity to ask forgiveness of the Rwandan people. (http://teamuzunovmedia.blogspot.com/2008/09/rwanda-veterans-trying-to-return.html )
Throughout the programming, various art forms will be presented and ongoing round-table and group discussions will be organized.
Conference location in Kigali: Hotel La Palisse
Costs:
Gathering of Forgiveness: Rwanda overall fee is $1500 includes conference & events, field trips, hotel room, all meals, & local transport (airfare not included - ticket booked by group travel agent to insure the best rates)
A $300 deposit due ASAP. There will be a limit of 100 participants. Register promptly!
The balance will be due December 2, 2008. The cost is shared room basis
To register, please send your $300 deposit payable to IN USA: make cheque out to SACRED CITY, Inc. and IN CANADA: make cheque out to MIZERO CANADA England, Australia and Europe contact us at:
USA: 83 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014 tel: (Carly) (646) 251-1181
Canada: 5581 Clanranald, Montreal, Quebec,Canada H3X 2S9 (Lynn) (438) 275-5147
Registration Form
Gathering of Forgiveness, February 10th to the 18th, 2009
Name:
(As shown on your Passport)
Male:________ Female:______ Age: _________
Address ________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________Postal Code
Phone (Home.) ________________________ Phone (Bus.) ______________________
Email (Please print) _______________________________________________________
Passport Number 1)__________________________ 2)____________________________
Date of Issue 1)_____________________________2) _____________________________
Date of Birth 1)__________________________ 2) ________________________________
I wish to share a room with __________________________________________________________________________
I will be departing from ____________________________________________________
To register, please send your $300 deposit payable to IN USA: make cheque out to SACRED CITY,INC and IN CANADA: make cheque out to MIZERO CANADA England, Australia and Europe contact us at:
USA 83 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014 tel: (Carly) (646) 251-1181
Canada: 5581 Clanranald, Montreal, Quebec,Canada H3X 2S9 (Lynn) (438) 275-5147
Please confirm your presence by emailing this form to: