Recently, I was invited to Kigali, Rwanda by the Rebecca Davis Dance Company to teach dance to underprivileged children. The Rebecca Davis Dance Company (RDDC) is a not-for-profit organization based in the United States that carries out arts programs for underserved youth in post-conflict and developing countries. Currently, the company is active in three countries: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Guinea and Rwanda. Each program uses dance to engage children in a physical activity that is then followed by an educational component.
During my trip to Rwanda, I noticed the necessity of education that these children were not afforded. They possessed so many great talents and intuition that have not yet been nurtured. Many of them have become the head of their households, sent to prison, are recovering alcoholics, drug users, and survivors of the genocide in 1994 at a very young age. I found that these children have not had the opportunity to be children. Through this program, it allowed them to explore artistic freedom, to have a safe environment, and to assure them positive self-discipline.
The children of Rwanda are in desperate need of financial help to support their educational fees. RDDC created a website (www.rwandayouth.com) which is designed to give the youth a free voice to communicate with people around the world about their life experience through an artistic realm. It serves as a catalyst for others to realize how worthy it is to invest in underprivileged children. Together, with a love of dance and physical expression, funds collected will further the mental development of street children by giving them a chance to go to school.