The Rwanda Video Project
This April 7th marks the fifteenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide where about one million people were killed in 100 days.
And each of us has the honor of being part of the commemoration process. Here’s how:
Make a video of yourself – light a candle and then say into the camera - “Hi, my name is (and say you’re name though you don’t have to) and I’m lighting a candle of hope for Rwanda.” Then stand there holding that candle for about ten seconds. It’s really important that you remain quiet for just a few seconds, because we may end up using that part of the video.
Once your video is made, you can send it in using yousendit.com to videos@thehpalliance.org
Your video should be no longer than 30 seconds and the file size should be no bigger than 100megs. The videos you send will be posted on candlesforrwanda.org sponsored by our partners in the UK Aegis Trust – and this web site is being viewed by Rwandans across the world and the best ones will be played during the actual ceremony in Rwanda’s capital of Kigali on April 7. They will be played on a big screen right next to candle lighting ceremony where thousands and thousands of candles will be lit.
Keep in mind when you’re lighting the candle that this candle that you’re holding represents the memory of those killed. It symbolizes their light that remains with us. And in doing so, the candle not only represents remembering, but it represents looking forward with hope – casting a light for the future of Rwanda.
We have the honor of collaborating on this with the Vlog Brothers John and Hank Green and the Nerd Fighter community. Be on the look out for their video about the Rwandan Video Project at youtube.com/thehpalliance. You can post your video as a response to theirs but also definitely make sure to send the video via yousendit.com to videos@thehpalliance.org
While Accio Books!is growing strong, we’re making this part of a new bonus point project where you can earn 50 points for your House.
People have until midnight of March 22 to submit their videos. If you’ve submitted a video, let your House Prefect know by emailing them at Gryffindor@thehpalliance.org, hufflepuff, slytherin, or ravenclaw at thehpalliance.org – and your House will get an automatic 50 points.
Thank you so much, and keep that light alive for Rwanda!
Posted in Darfur, New Media Alliance, Rwanda
March 15th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I think this is a great idea.
I’ve already sent my video in, although i sent it after seeing John Green’s video - before reading this article. So I don’t really sit with the candle for 10 seconds at the end. But oh well.
March 16th, 2009 at 3:30 am
This is the sort of thing everyone should do. I’m trying to send mine now, the computer is being really slow.
March 16th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I think you should just donate money instead.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I’m telling my friends that aren’t part of any Harry Potter group about this and they want to make movies too. They’re really excited about it and think that the HPA is a really great group. Harry Potter and social justice are things that are part of me.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I think this is an excellent idea! I’d really like to do it, but I’m not sure how to load videos, I will try and get someone to help me.
Not everyone has money, Cassandra. And money is not the only way that you can show that you care.
March 17th, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Submitted my video today…i’m really excited about how many other responses there are!
March 17th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
For those looking for an example of the horrible tragedy in Rwanda, I strongly urge you to take a look at James Nachtwey’s images from 1994. His picture of a Hutu death camp survivor will stay with me for my entire life. Please be warned, the images are disturbing.(On a side note, he also took pictures of Romanian orphanages in 1990 similar to the one’s Joe’s charity, The Children’s High Level Group, is trying to make illegal).
March 18th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Egads, I’ll have a hard time doing this. Everytime I think of it I have to do that strange scrunch up your face thing to keep from just bawling.
April 17th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
[...] was John Green’s video on the Rwandan Genocide and the HP Alliance’s idea from Rwanda to have real people light candles and show that they care for their problems, which are all of our problems. It was a funny, yet [...]
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:52 am
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