NDCL Lenten program heals Rwandan wounds

This year's global dimension of NDCL's Lenten almsgiving focuses on efforts to promote education as a means to heal the lingering wounds of the genocide in the African nation of Rwanda.

Mrs. Debbie Kukurza and Rwandan natives Pacifique and Hope spoke to all NDCL students in their theology about the horror of the genocide and, more importantly, the hope that inspires Rwandans and others as they work to rebuild the still-scarred nation.

During a 100-day period in 1994, as many as 1,000,000 Rwandans, including Pacifique's family, were slaughtered in a genocide perpetrated by the Hutu majority against the Tutsi minority. Just a baby at the time, Pacifique was raised in an orphanage run by Father John, a Rwandan priest.

Mrs. Kukurza, Pacifique, and Hope encouraged NDCL to support Father John's latest effort to help the Rwandan people: the founding of Saint Antoine's Secondary School, a boys boarding school. Currently, there are similar schools for girls but none for Rwandan boys.

To raise awareness about Rwanda as well as funds for the new school, our Christian Leadership and Service class has launched "Dine, Dodge, and Dress Down." Campus ministers Mrs. Beth Davis and Miss Christie Fleming are facilitating the students' efforts. Mrs. Davis teaches the Christian Leadership and Service course.

During the week of March 16, the cafeteria will feature special items to benefit the Lenten project. Students may purchase these items with cash or charge them to their Aladdin lunch accounts.

On Friday, March 20, we will host NDCL's Second Annual Dodge Ball Tournament. Rather than going out to dinner and a movie or some other entertainment on Friday night, students will stay at school for a grand time dodging each other while hitting the target of a generous donation for Saint Antoine School.

Finally, every Friday in Lent will be a dress down day to benefit the Rwandan project. Students and adults will donate a minimum of $2.00 each to dress down.