April 7^th 2019 marked 25 years since the start of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Rwandans and friends of Rwanda around the world have been remembering the dead, reflecting on the past and discussing the ways in which we can all learn the lessons from Rwanda.

Throughout this period, Ishami Foundation has been working with schools and communities, providing teaching materials and assisting with speakers at Kwibuka 25 events.

We are welcoming students and teachers from 25 London schools to City Hall on Monday May 20^th. Here is our programme for the afternoon:

• Warm up exercise connecting pupils and teachers across schools
• Testimonies and discussions with survivors from Jo Ingabire’s 100 Stories project
• Tea break and chance to view the commemorative projects produced by schools
• Small break out groups, each with a genocide survivor, facilitated by academics from a range of UK and European universities
• Pledge writing – a moment to reflect and commit
• Brief address from our youth trustee Joel Freedman
• Certificate award ceremony and photographs

We are hosting a commemoration ceremony for Kwibuka 25 with the High Commissioner for Rwanda and the Mayor of London at 6pm on May 20^th. This event is aimed at schools, genocide educators, Rwandans in London and Londoners with connections to Rwanda. If you haven’t been invited and would like to receive an invitation please e-mail info@ishamifoundation.org

Our programme for the evening includes:

• Welcome from Eric Murangwa Eugene MBE and Dr Zoe Norridge
• Speech by Rwandan High Commissioner H.E. Yamina Karitanyi
• Testimony from Jo Ingabire Moys, Ishami Co-Founder and genocide survivor
• Poems written and read by London pupils and young Rwandans
• Speech by Linda Melvern, acclaimed author of A People Betrayed & Conspiracy to Murder
• Speech by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
• Response by Kalisa Karemera, representative of the Rwandan community in London
• Song by Rwandan musician Olivier Nzaramba

These events have been made possible through the support of:

• The Greater London Authority
• King’s College London
• The Arts and Humanities Research Council
• The Arts Council

We would also like to thank all the speakers, facilitators and volunteers who have given their time so generously.