United Nations Welcomes the Mizero Children
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Voices of angels singing in unison, drum beats thumping, bright coloured blue and white beads shimmering from their traditional garb. Twelve Rwandan orphans, who survived the 1994 genocide, dance and heal the weary soul of the onlooker through their music.
The Mizero, which means ‘hope’ in Kinyarwanda, troupe is led by founder and famous musician, Jean-Paul Samputu, winner of the prestigious Kora Award. The children performers are between the ages of 10 to 15. They raise awareness about the one million orphaned children who suffered the brutalities of murder and rape of families and friends by the ethnic strife in Rwanda.
In October 2007, the tour kicked off in Asheville, North Carolina. One of the final performances was held at the UN in New York City in December 2007. The performance told a story about how the children became orphaned. Some children were abandoned by their mothers who were victims of rape. Other children were orphaned because their parents were either killed during the civil war or died of diseases. Some were lost and separated from their families in refugee camps but concluded with Mizero. The children drew strength from religion and the power of prayer.
Through traditional music and dance, Jean-Paul empowers the children by building on their self-confidence and life skills. “They have learned to work together and love one another despite their troubled past,” says Brent Swanson, President of the Mizero Foundation. “Through the arts, they have come together as one to reveal Christ’s message of hope, peace, and love,” adds Brent.
Mizero made their debut in December 2006. The musicians from the Lake Eden Arts Festival in North Carolina wanted to help orphaned children in Rwanda. They traveled to Rwanda to meet Jean-Paul. Not only did they set up a safe place for the children to meet every week to play music with traditional instruments but also created a mentorship programme and provided the troupe with costumes in which Jennifer Pickering played an important role.
By selling hand-made goods, coffee and music from Rwanda, Jean-Paul and Brent hope to realize one of the goals of the Mizero Foundation. They would like to create an arts academy at the university level where students will have a general education and an opportunity to learn about the traditional arts from East and Central African cultures.
As a survivor of genocide whose parents were killed by his own neighbours, Jean-Paul understands the power of forgiveness to promote peace. But he believes that perpetrators should be accountable for their actions, particularly the leadership who are responsible for the atrocities. “Know that children are watching what you are doing. We must be a good example and have commitment to peace and responsibility to others,” he says.
“My vision for Mizero is to build, bring and spread hope to Rwanda children through our vibrant music and dance traditions,” Jean-Paul adds. “We hope to give these children a platform to speak to the world,” says Brent.
Mizero [Hope] through the eyes of Rwandan children
By Susan Kang
