Recent Events
International Peace Day 2007
On September 15, 2007, over 600 children between the ages of 7 and 14 participated in the activities we organized for International Peace Day! Over 30 of our Rwandan volunteers were there to lead and coach the children.
The Global Peace Games were held at Muhima Primary School in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
The day was opened with presentations by Gasana Mutesi and Charles Nkazamyampi, the founders of Amani Africa. One of the children read a statement from Adolf Ogi, UN Special Advisor on Sport for Development and Peace. Some of the children also read the UN Peace Manifesto in Kinyarwanda.
A match was held between two of the Amani soccer teams and a few of the dance groups performed their routines. The international organization Right to Play partnered with us to have this event and there were many games based on their Red Ball modules for teaching conflict resolution.
Our Sport and Peace Training Module is the framework of all our sports activities. These games promote cooperation, teamwork, and peace among participating children.
Children had prepared sketches and poems about what peace means to them. They used these presentations to convey what the concept of peace should look like in Rwandan children’s lives.
This event launched the beginning of a week-long program of activities, including conferences and debates with teenagers as well as theatre performances by the Amahoro youth clubs.
At the end of the day, all the participating children signed a large banner with the Peace Manifesto on it in Kinyarwanda, as a proof of their commitment to promoting the values of peace in their everyday lives.
The beverage company Bralirwa was a sponsor of the event so all the children enjoyed cool drinks after a long day of activities and discussion!