"Know Your World. Make It Better."

Having the opportunity to hear first-hand accounts of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda and the country's effort to move forward contributes to students' developing appreciation for the human condition around the globe.

Noella Abijuru (left) and Allen Kazarwa, survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, shared their stories of reconciliation and hope for the future with IDS-CC middle school students.

Oct. 5, 2011 (TAMPA, Fla.) – There's a poster hanging on the back wall in the social studies classroom David Freeman and Stephen Shoe share in the middle school building at Independent Day School-Corbett Campus. The words on it have become a sort of motto for the humanities team, which includes eighth-grade teacher Christina Thomas.

The poster reads: "Know Your World. Make it Better."

"We all know how fortunate we are to live in the United States," said seventh-grade teacher Mr. Shoe. "Through the study of the humanities, we want IDS students to develop appreciation for the human condition around the globe and be able to take action to make it better."

That goal corresponds closely with the focus of the International Baccalaureate Programme, which IDS-CC offers at all grade levels beginning with PreK3, and specifically with the IB emphasis on international perspectives and intercultural understanding.

IDS-CC middle school students had the opportunity to hear and learn first-hand about the human condition in Rwanda when two women, Noella Abijuru and Allen Kazarwa – survivors of the 1994 genocide that left 1 million people dead in a three-month period in their country – came to the IDS-CC campus to share their stories. The women were visiting the United States and were guests of IDS-CC parent Collette Russell- Hanna and her family, including fifth-grade student, Elois, and IDS-CC graduate, Chad.

"Hearing historical first-hand accounts from eyewitnesses such as these two women is a valuable learning experience for students," said sixth-grade teacher Dave Freeman. "It provides them with unique and personal insight into events they would otherwise just read about in textbooks."

To prepare for the opportunity, IDS-CC students discussed the history of Rwanda in their social studies classes and developed questions, which several students were able to ask during the presentation. "It is so hard for us, but what we must do is put aside the past and focus on the future," Ms. Kazarwa told students. Now 20 years old, she was born in Uganda to Hutu and Tutsi parents and orphaned at an early age when her family returned to Rwanda.

Ms. Abijuru, 26, said she and her family went into hiding for several months, safeguarded by a sympathetic Hutu, after Hutu neighbors killed her father. Overcoming incredible adversity, she said that she and her family later returned to their community and found the path to the future through reconciliation.

Today, both women attend the Akilah Institute for Women in the capital city of Kigali. The college offers a two-year management degree in one of the fastest-growing sectors of Rwanda's economy, hospitality, and was founded by Tampa native Elizabeth Dearborn Davis.

“Since I have joined Akilah, my life has totally changed in a very positive way, " said Ms. Abijuru."I have started to have dreams for my future. In 10 years, my goal is to own and operate my own hotel.” "I have no siblings or parents, but I have hope for my future. I want to become an independent woman and start my own business," said Ms. Kazarwa.

Following the presentation, students returned to their second-period classes where they took some time for quiet, written reflection.

“The fact that the people of Rwanda found hope out of a horrible thing amazes me," wrote eighth-grader Sarah Smith. "I hope one day I could be like them and have a positive attitude towards others and what I do. I think we can keep this from happening by learning about it (like today), showing people dignity and respect, and we can keep being open minded.”

"We were so fortunate that our students were able to meet these two amazing women. They are an example to all of us of how to forgive and overcome adversity," said Ms. Thomas. "Listening to them was an inspiring example of how to make a difference in the world."