How NPO-TER builds peace among the learners through Arts and cultural disciplines

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

20 years ago, children of Rwanda have been learning how to strive for peace through Education at Umuco Mwiza School in Kimironko Sector, Gasabo District.

The school cultivates peace through different disciplines such as Arts and Music whereby a child uses mind and heart to express peace under the support of a Non-profit organization dubbed: “Think about Education in Rwanda (NPO-TER).

Marie Louise Towari, Rwandese-Japanese who is based in Japan is the President of NPO-TER that supports Umuco Mwiza school to incorporate peace in Education for children.

Speaking during a 10th Peace Concert ceremony at the school’s headquarters on August 15, 2022, Mrs. Towari said that they partner with Japan to continue building peace as a cornerstone in a safe society.

“During the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994, I experienced a tough life and I was welcomed by Japanese people whom we share similar terrible moments in the history as they were hit by Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bombings. This history gives us courage to build common development.” Towari said.

The peace concert was graced by different dignitaries including the Japan Ambassador to Rwanda.

Testimonies shared at the ceremony include the one of Shohei Tsuiki, a 95-year old Japanese man  who suffered the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bombings at his younger age.

Two Rwandan women genocide survivor also shared testimonies and called up on Children to build peace for a sustainable country without any racial ideology.

The school believes that children can think about peace in Karate games, Music and Artworks as common cultural disciplines with Japanese people.

“We all together Rwandans, Japanese and Congolese need to build sustainable peace and share best practices to other communities at the global scale.” Mrs. Towari noted.

She said that a child at school always needs to reflect on the values of peace as the foundation of everything and a strong bond for a healthy community.

“A child can express or define peace through drawing, song or poem to illustrate what he/she thinks about peace.” She added.

Théophile Nzabamwita who is in charge of school curriculum at Umuco Mwiza School said that children manage to learn how to build peace through social studies and Origami that teaches them to work together in tacking conflicts and build unity.

Children speak out

Stephane Don, a 12 year old student in Primary 5 at this school defines peace as shared happiness with other people.

“I am happy today to see other people performing music and dance.” He said.

Ananas Kahamba, DRC-Goma citizen is the Alumni student from Umuco Mwiza. He said that Congolese need to learn from Rwanda in making peace and living in Africa with harmony.

Mr. Kyoheri Miyoshi, Senior Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) commended efforts by Umuco Mwiza school in promoting peace education in Rwanda.

“Since 2016, this school has hosted 5 JICA volunteers and I believe it will create a strong initiative for peace building in the future and peace is a cooperation result between Rwanda and Japan,” he said.

H.E Masahiro IMAI, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda said that the two countries share the common history in peace building after horrific moments of insecurity.

“Born in a space that was affected by Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I understand why peace really means in the society. We are now celebrating the 60 years of Japan-Rwanda friendship since 1962-2022 and we shall continue to build harmony, peace and common prosperity towards strengthening our cooperation and to sustain bilateral relationship between the government of Japan and the government of Rwanda.” H.E Masahiro said.

Umuco Mwiza School has been operating in Rwanda for 20 years ago and performed 10 peace concerts.

    

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