In 1994, 800,000 Rwandans were brutally murdered in the space of 100 days. The final total of those murdered in the genocide is estimated to be 1.1 million people. Today, almost 11 years later, thousands are dying in war-torn Sudan, some from brutality, others from the lack of basic necessities like clean, potable water.
MCC’s student leaders have united to remember the victims of the Rwandan Genocide by allowing the lessons of the past to evolve into meaningful action for the present. MCC students will be selling 1.1 million river washed stones as a way to both honor the Rwandan Genocide victims and provide clean drinking water for current residents of Sudan. The stones will be used for a memorial fountain and the funds raised will be donated to Water for Sudan.
Currently, the lack of clean drinking water is so severe in Africa, that it is responsible for 36% of all hospitalizations in Sudan. Water for Sudan, Inc., a local organization founded by Salva Dut, an MCC alumnus, is striving to eliminate this crisis by drilling wells in Sudan for sanitary drinking water. The money raised by MCC students and local high schools will allow Water for Sudan to purchase its own drilling equipment, thereby lowering the overall cost per well and making it more possible to drill more wells with less money.
Please watch for students selling stones at the following events. In addition, faculty members may be asked if students can speak for a few minutes before class about MCC’s Water from a Stone for Sudan initiative.
Ghosts of Rwanda Film Presentation
October 17 – October 21
Brick Lounge at Java’s Café
10:00 to 2:00 every day
Human Rights: How Much Blood and Treasure
Featuring a panel of four leading human rights experts.
October 26th
Warshof Conference Center, Flynn Campus Center
7:00 PM
Witness to Genocide featuring Lt.-Gen. (ret) Romeo A. Dallaire- General in Rwanda during the Genocide
Wednesday, Nov. 9
Noon and 7:00 PM
MCC Theater, Bldg. 4
Tickets required for entry available now at the Flynn Campus Center Information and Services Desk; free for MCC students, faculty and staff.
Angelique Stevens
English/Philosophy
10/19/2005 |