Trocaire launch Lenten Rwanda campaign

Leading Irish charity, Trocaire has launched its annual Lenten Campaign today with an appeal to the Northern Ireland public to remember the survivors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

The annual Lenten Campaign – now in its 31st year – is Trocaire’s main fundraising campaign. Last year, its income reached £33.2 million and of that sum £18.8 million was donated by the Irish public.

This year, some 1.2 million Trocaire boxes have been distributed throughout the island this Lent. The 2004 Lenten period will run from February 25th until April 11th.

Commenting on the campaign, Roisin Shannon, Regional Manager of Trocaire in Northern Ireland, who has recently returned from Rwanda, said: “The people of Ireland expressed solidarity with Rwanda during the 1994 crisis. Some 10 years on, the people of Rwanda have shown incredible resilience in rebuilding their country and living in peace.

"Much remains to be done. Rebuilding a country steeped in violence is a difficult chore. On my visit to Rwanda, people have spoken about their hopes for their children and their country. They spoke about peace and wanting their children to grow up in a fear-free society. They desperately want to close the many violent chapters in their history.”

The extermination campaign, sparked on April 7th 1994, was aimed at annihilating the Tutsis - one of three tribal groups in Rwanda. Moderate members of the Hutu majority were also targeted in a killing spree that was organised by the extremist Hutu regime.

Since 1994, Trocaire has built 233 new homes for survivors, rehabilitated and re-constructed 29 primary schools and rehabilitated and provided teacher training for 15 secondary and technical schools.

Anyone interested in making a donation this year can do so by contacting Trocaire on freephone 0800 9121200 or visiting their website at www.trocaire.org

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