The Roméo Dallaire Scholarship

 

Komora: to heal

Thank you to all who attended the recent screenings of Komora: to heal.  This film was co-produced by Dallaire scholar Emmanuel Habimana and his colleague, Natalia Ledford.  For more information about the film, please visit the website.

 

 

The Roméo Dallaire Scholarship

Lewis & Clark’s Roméo Dallaire Scholarship honors the work and vision of Roméo Dallaire, former commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission to Rwanda, Canadian Army Lieutenant-General (ret.), world citizen, and humanitarian. To honor Dallaire’s work and vision, preference is given to low-income students who demonstrate a dedication to promoting human rights in sub-Saharan Africa. 

The Roméo Dallaire Scholarship allows recipients to enroll in the Academic English Studies program at Lewis & Clark College for one academic year. While studying and living with other students from throughout the United States and around the world, scholarship recipients experience first hand the history and habits of diverse cultures even as they share with others their own traditions, customs, insights and beliefs. The Dallaire Award Fund continues to advance the principle that has guided Lewis & Clark’s innovative programs in international education for more than 40 years: global understanding is rooted in relationships, and relationships are built day by day and person to person.

For more information, contact: 

aes@lclark.edu

503-768-7310

Dallaire Scholarship History

This award resulted from the initiative and efforts of Lewis & Clark College students who were moved to pursue the end of genocide, and to support human rights for all members of our global community.  Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire spoke at Lewis & Clark on November 18, 2004, and on that day became the first contributor to the scholarship that now bears his name.

 

Scholarship Recipients

 

Emmanuel Habimana is our 2012-2013 Romeo Dallaire Scholarship recipient.  He notes that all of his involvement and interest in human rights comes from his experience as a genocide survivor and his need to reunite his community in peace. Most of his work has been “in counseling fellow survivors in unity and reconciliation, helping them with their basic needs, and providing education about genocide to the world.”  

During secondary school, Emmanuel served as Vice-President of his school’s Unity and Reconciliation Club and assisted in organizing athletic and cultural events, as well as “conferences for my peers to discuss issues about ethnicity and the relationship that ethnicity in Rwanda had to the genocide.”  He also held the position of President of the Umuhuza Youth Association in the Nyakabanda sector of Kigali. During this time, he helped to create English classes for fellow youth in his area, and he sponsored public forums about HIV/AIDS education and prevention.

Emmanuel later worked for the Interdisciplinary Genocide Studies Center summer program. The purpose of this program is to bring groups of international college students and teachers to Rwanda every summer to do field studies on the 1994 genocide.  He has worked with students and teachers from the United States, Russia, Australia, Canada, Nigeria, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Since 2010, while enrolled as a student in Kigali Independent University, Emmanuel has been producing and co-directing a documentary about the children who were orphaned by the genocide in Rwanda called The Children Who Lived.  It is being funded by two grants from National Geographic Society and sponsored by an organization called Education for the World.  In this documentary he personally interviews senator Romeo Dallaire, who was the chief commander of UNAMIR in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide and in whose name the Lewis& Clark College Dallaire Scholarship is named. Please view the trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvZUqT7FK-w. 

A message from Emmanuel:  

Sometimes as survivors we feel misunderstood by our fellow Rwandans and the outside world. I contribute to my society by doing projects that raise awareness about the issues we face and helping survivors feel understood and appreciated.”

After completing the Academic English Studies program at Lewis and Clark, I will apply what I’ve been studying by becoming a secondary school English teacher and a writer.  Also, because I have been working on this documentary, I have developed an interest in journalism.  This has given me the dream of applying for a grant to create a human rights magazine in Rwanda, teaching people through the magazine about peace, reconciliation and respect between ethnicities. I will also create a human rights English club at my university where I will apply what I have learned at Lewis and Clark. Lastly, I would like to write a book about my life surviving the genocide and making something of myself in the years after.

Update:  May, 2013  Before coming to L&C, the truth is that I had always assumed that it was almost always impossible to live with the people with whom you did not share the same ethnicity or race, or sometimes beliefs.  This year I learned that, despite our differences  - which should not be a factor at all - we have so much to learn from each other.  I have learned that we have so much in common.   Our race and ethnicities, skin color and many other differences are like many types of flowers in the garden.  When you look at this garden you see the beauty, not the differences. You see many colors decorating the garden.

 I have finally concluded that we are all the flowers of this planet.  We are the beauty of humanity.

 

 

Kelvine Muhire Ngerero, the 2011-2012 Romeo Dallaire Scholarship recipient, is a graduate of Kigali Independent University.  In 2009 she was awarded a Bachelor’s Degree in Law.

Kelvine describes herself as a passionate human rights activist.  As a volunteer with the Rwanda Commission on Human Rights, she facilitated seminars and workshops throughout the country.  She also participated in Ministry of Health programs conducting research involving youth and sex workers.  Her focus was on investigating how human rights abuses affect behavior and make victims vulnerable to deadly diseases like HIV/Aids.

In her scholarship application, Kelvine stated “When I return to Rwanda I will continue the advocacy for human rights.  I feel I will be more energized given the exposure, international contacts and English language competence which will be acquired. I intend to enroll for a Masters Degree in Women’s and Gender Studies, majoring in Gender and Health and thus assisting my country and the East African community.”

Update:  October, 2012  “This is just to let you know that I’ve started my MA in Genocide Studies.  I received a scholarship, and the program will take two years:  one year in class and another year of research. My first class was about research, and it was just what I learned at L&C. The English skills I acquired will help me to complete my studies. Since my L&C’s experience I’m getting many opportunities in my life which will help me to contribute to build my country.”

Update:  May, 2013  I’m happy to let you know that I’ve been selected as a GHC fellow for the position of Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator at the Rwandan Ministry of Health. This will be a good opportunity for me to assist my country with my experience in health issues.

Editor’s note:  The Global Health Corps notified Kelvine that “this year’s application pool was highly competitive, with over 9100 applications for 108 positions. Being selected for one of these positions is an incredible accomplishment!”

 

Patrick Mugabo was the 2010-2011 Dallaire scholar.  Patrick has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the Kigali Independent University, and has worked as a nurse for many years at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali.  He is interested in health care policy-making in Rwanda and has worked on the steering committee for the Palliative Care Association of Rwanda.  

Update:  November, 2011  “Right after my return to Rwanda, I resumed my work as a site coordinator of public health research conducted by Columbia University, Mailman school of Public Health, via its program in Rwanda; ICAP - International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs. The study was completed in September.

Since September, I have been working as a Research Assistant for Partners In Health (Harvard affiliated NGO operating in Rwanda and other 11 developing countries). The project I am working on aims at promoting mental health care in our catchment area. Besides that, I am applying to many universities in Europe & South Africa so that I can start my graduate studies next fall.”

Clarisse Mukamukiza received the Scholarship for the 2009-2010 academic year. She was born in Kigali, Rwanda and is a Genocide survivor.  In 2000, she received a degree in Nursing from the School of Nursing Sciences in Rwamagana. In 2006, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology at Kigali Independent University.  As an active member of the Student Genocide Survivor Association, she counseled others suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.  Prior to beginning her year of study at Lewis & Clark College, Clarisse worked as a nurse involved in public health education for HIV/AIDS prevention.

Rafiki Gasarasi received the Dallaire Scholarship in 2008-09. In his youth, Rafiki had been arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo with his family for more than ten months because of difficulties between DRC and Rwanda. In Rwanda he was later a member of Youth Crime Watch of Rwanda. He has worked on HIV/AIDS issues in Rwanda, and hopes to continue contributing to his community on his return to Rwanda, perhaps after graduate study. 

Update:  November, 2011  “I’m now working for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), It’s a very interesting firm, it keeps me busy and I’m learning a lot.”

Update:  October, 2012  It is quite difficult to explain how I am applying what I learned at Lewis & Clark since everything I have learned is being applied in my  life, from how to communicate with people to how to help people who are in need.   My goals for the long-term future are building my career in the firm I’m working for because the firm resolves a number of my goals.  We assist so many people in need by providing different support such as paying school fees for many students, and also providing support to genocide survivors.

 

The 2007-08 recipient was Viviane Gakire Kabeho.  She completed her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Administration from the National University of Rwanda.  She worked with the Center for Conflict Management pursuing peace, tolerance, prevention and peaceful settlement of conflicts in Rwanda.  After her return to Rwanda, Viviane accepted a position as a Local Government Program Analyst for the Rwandan Prime Minister’s Cabinet.  

Update:  November, 2011  Viviane received her MBA from Oklahoma Christian University in 2011.  She returned to her job as an Analyst in the Rwandan Prime Minister’s Office in Kigali.

Update:  March, 2013  I have changed positions and have a new job. It is with an international organization called AWEPA, as a European Parliamentarian for Africa.  I will be working in very close relations with the Rwanda Parliament in the planning process, implementation and evaluation of their activities.

Editor’s note: “AWEPA works in cooperation with African Parliaments to strengthen parliamentary democracy in Africa, to keep Africa high on the political agenda in Europe and to facilitate African-European Parliamentary dialogue. AWEPA’s overall objective is to support the realisation of human rights and development in Africa via strengthening democratic institutions. With the help of parliamentarians and elected officials worldwide, AWEPA actively supports human resource development and institutional capacity building within parliaments made up of decentralised authorities.”

http://www.awepa.org/index.php/en/about-us/mission.html

The first recipient of this scholarship in 2006-07 was Romeo Umulisa, a young man active in issues of human rights and reconciliation in Rwanda.  Romeo was involved with the Rwanda Cinema Centre in Kigali, writing and directing documentary films on the 1994 genocide and other human rights concerns, as well as promoting reconciliation in schools through film and other educational projects. 

Update:  March, 2013  The one year that I spent at Lewis and Clark College was for me one of the most memorable of my life not only because I got to meet and share my life with wonderful people, teachers and students alike, but most importantly because I was given at the opportunity to build something that has shaped my life today, something that has helped me build a career, a dream and a future.  My gratitude goes to the entire committee of the Dallaire Scholarship, and most importantly to my friend Michael Graham whom I am proud to call a brother today. I can never return the equivalent of your hard work that you did to get this started and keep it going today. But as a fruit of that hard work, I will make sure it is never forgotten, because you have made a difference in so many people’s lives.  All I can say is keep up the good work and thank you again.

Editor’s Note:  Romeo has completed his university degree and currently serves as Creative Director for Lycamedia Creative Communications, as well as the Director and Art Director of the Rwanda Film Festival.  He has worked throughout Europe and Africa.  

How to Apply for the Scholarship

The scholarship application deadline for the 2013-2014 academic year has passed. Applications will be accepted for the 2014-2015 scholarship in the Fall of 2013. If you would like to receive an application, please click here to request that an application be emailed to you.  

Donating to the Scholarship

You can help make Roméo Dallaire’s pledge come alive by giving to the scholarship fund that carries his name. There are several ways to give: 

• Call the Office of Annual Giving at 503-768-7944 or 800-753-9292.
• To make a gift online, please visit our Online Giving Page. To direct your gift, select College of Arts & Sciences, select Other from the drop-down menu, and write in Dallaire Scholarship in the blank box.
• Send your check, payable to Lewis & Clark College, to the address below.

Annual Giving
Lewis & Clark College
0615 SW Palatine Hill Road
Portland, OR 97219-7899
503-768-7944
800-753-9292
giving@lclark.edu
www.lclark.edu 

About Roméo Dallaire

Roméo Dallaire commanded the United Nations mission in Rwanda before and during the 100 days of genocide in 1994 that left 800,000 people dead. He returned to his native Canada haunted by images of death and the belief that he could have—should have—been able to do more to stop the killings. Now, through his writings, lectures, and humanitarian projects, Dallaire teaches conflict mediation, helps children affected by war, and works to ensure that the people of the world neither forget the genocide nor allow it to be repeated—anywhere.

His message is powerful in its simplicity and challenging in its scope: Never again.

 

Links of interest:

 

 

Lake Oswego Reads 

Cascade Festival of African Films

The Girl Effect & Girl Hub

Gashora Girls Academy

• http://www.rwandagirlsinitiative.org/ggast/index
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGk0yxfDW8&noredirect=1
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CjjCrmakWc

The World Outside My Shoes – Carl & Teresa Wilkens

“Learning from Rwanda to equip and inspire each one of us to enter the world of the “Other”. The “Other” may be under our own roof or on the other side of the globe.”