80 Percent Angel Video 7: Nursing Peace, 7 Days in a Pit

Jean Nepomucene Rwena had his entire family killed by armed militias in the 1994 genocide. His mother was tortured in front of him before being killed in the courtyard of the church where they had gone to seek refuge.

Nepo himself was paraded off to be thrown alive in a pit when he ran away from his captors. He spent 103 days running alone through the woods.

When the genocide ended, the liberating army freed 11 people from the pit; 7 are still living in the district where Nepo was born.

In the 13 years that have elapsed, Nepo has become a leader among genocide orphans. He has gone back to his home district to reach out to those 7 survivors who suffered so horribly in the pit, as the founder of an organization called the Nursery of Peace (NOPA).

The association has become his surrogate family, as most members of NOPA are students at the technical university where Nepo studies Information Technology. Many of the NOPA members are also orphans. Nursing Peace, 7 Days in a Pit
Written & Produced by:
Kasia Romanska
Directed by: Parker Snyder
Music by: Marcin Jaroszewicz
Translation by: Gabriel Gahima
2nd Unit Camera: Aloys Johnson
In Support: Brock Dastous
Jean Nepomucene Rwena had his entire family killed by armed militias in the 1994 genocide. His mother was tortured in front of him before being killed in the courtyard of the church where they had gone to seek refuge.

Nepo himself was paraded off to be thrown alive in a pit when he ran away from his captors. He spent 103 days running alone through the woods.

When the genocide ended, the liberating army freed 11 people from the pit; 7 are still living in the district where Nepo was born.

In the 13 years that have elapsed, Nepo has become a leader among genocide orphans. He has gone back to his home district to reach out to those 7 survivors who suffered so horribly in the pit, as the founder of an organization called the Nursery of Peace (NOPA).

The association has become his surrogate family, as most members of NOPA are students at the technical university where Nepo studies Information Technology. Many of the NOPA members are also orphans.

The association performs works of peace and ministers specifically to genocide victims. The members teach in schools by performing cultural plays and traditional dance that speak to the Caring Habit theme: Never Again.

This video kicks off the 100 Days Campaign for Peace.

To participate in the campaign, you may make an online donation with PayPal under the Support basket or bid on any of the artwork tagged: 80PAuction on eBay from April 16-26th.

Search the keyword 80Pauction at www.eBay.com while the auction is going on!

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[80PercentAngel]

HarBrw,

We are all aware of the atrocities that have occured between these two opposing factions (if any of you don't, I recommend you see "Hotel Rwanda"). However, 80 Percent Angel was founded to report on good works going on in Rwanda. In other words, instead of exposing the world to the horrible things happening in Africa (they see enough of that), 80P wants to show the planet all the beauty that still exists despite all the strife and struggle...

Thank you for your concern,

80P Team

[shortee4204real]

Peace is the only reconciliation. Not everyone was prosecuted during WWII because of the mass confusion. Where does this confusion arise? Economical distress, cultural misunderstandings, oppression from other nations, and misguided people who think they are charitable. The best thing would be restoration of equilibrium which does not include people who do not respect privacy. Misguided missionaries with hidden greedy political agendas have caused enough misery for everyone including themselves.

[HarBrw]

I am curious when will you start reporting on the thousands of hutu lives lost because of the genocide. Both hutu and tutsi(RPA in CONGO) committed murder on a grand scale. Until both sides accept responsibility for their actions true reconciliation will never happen. All people involved should be prosucuted hutu or tutsi. Then Rwanda can truly have a unity goverment.