Nineteen students will travel to Rwanda, from June 5-19, accompanied by chaperones Dave Kuntz, Anna Overdo and James and Molly Cave. Much of the focus will be on the history of the 1994 genocide, and the effect that it is still having on the country. In small groups, participants will also rotate through cultural activities, including a gorilla trek, an orphanage visit, brick making and more. As James states, “This kind of ‘out of comfort zone’ experience will provide a great and unique opportunity for personal, spiritual, and academic development. We hope that Rwanda 2009 will provide opportunities to foster tolerance and understanding of another culture by challenging comfort zones, encourages participation in the global community, and empowers future servant leaders.”
James and Dave traveled Rwanda each of the last two summers, initially as a way to add greater depth to curriculum for a junior high class, titled Genocide and Social Justice. They will now be leading others through similar experiences. Students going to Africa include Carmen Aguirre, Kelsey Bakken, Rachel Bilski, Katie Cashman, Mickey Caulfield, Emma Eldred, Julie Flannery, Drew Frenz, Glynnis Forsberg, Dann Fry, Emma Hafermann, Abby Haselman, Jane Huber, Sian Last, Mary Musilek, Alex Rothstein, Grace Ronning, Natalie Thomas, and Anna Viers.
