800,000 Project
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The 800,000 Project

In 1994, Rwanda experienced a tribal genocide during which an estimated 800,000 people were killed in 100 days. The myths of race and ethnicity built between the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi during colonization, culminated into genocide after the April 6, 1994, assassination of the Hutu President, Habyarimana and others in a plane crash. The crash incited the Rwandan Military, the Hutu Power, and the Interhamwe (village militia) to begin eliminating all Tutsi and moderate Hutu resulting in over 10% of the Rwandan population being killed. Twelve years later, Rwanda continues to struggle with the forces of poverty and a society rife with personal loss.

Exhibit

The installation is made of 800,000 pages in 2500 books displayed in 100 crates: one page for each victim, one crate for each day of the war. The books are being hand-bound through the collaboration of the 800,000 team, six high schools, and three groups. A CD of music produced by a group from Harrisburg accompanies the exhibit, adding to the atmosphere.

Viewers of the exhibit can both learn about the incident and also do something for the country in response. The historical context of the exhibit will be available for viewing at the entrance, but the installation is interactive, giving the viewer that tangible means of helping. The project asks the viewer to acknowledge the war, remember the victims, and help the country by donating $1 to the Rwanda Fund of Antioch International for projects in Rwanda. They can then place their handprint on one page of a book. The goal, therefore, is to have each life lost acknowledged, remembered, and then hope renewed, which will raise $800,000 for Rwanda.

Rwanda Fund

The first project through the fund will get running water to the Umuryango Children home and install a fountain for the surrounding community of Bukomero. The Umuryango Children home is a place for orphaned children to come into a family. Fourteen boys are currently there and four have become the top in their class, having never previously attended school. The Bukomero community will also benefit in getting a closer water source. Currently they are walking about a half-mile out of town to fill their jugs.