Three young self-taught photographers and genocide survivors Jean Bizimana, Gadi Habumugisha and Mussa Uwitonze have organized a photo exhibition to showcase a personal look at Rwanda’s post-genocide journey through the eyes of its children. ALSO READ: ‘Murubuto’ exhibition explores heritage, emotions and expressions The exhibition, inspired by the theme “Through the Eyes of Children: A 25 Year Retrospective,” will be held at Kigali Marriott Hotel from April 16-17 and will later be moved to Museum Ingabo from April 18 through May 25. It aims to commemorate the 25th anniversary of “Through the Eyes of Children (TTEC),” a globally recognized and award-winning non-profit organisation that began in 2000 at Imbabazi Orphanage in Gisenyi and Mutura, Rwanda. The exhibition organisers and curators, Bizimana, a staff photographer for Reuters as well as Uwitonze and Gadi Habumugisha, tour operators and freelance photographers, all grew up at the Rubavu-based orphanage and are the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The trio is also among 19 orphaned children, known as the “Camera Kids,” who grew up at Imbabazi orphanage. The photography exhibition will feature photographs of the 19 Camera Kids, and more than 30 other young participants of TTEC workshops that were held throughout Rwanda. These workshops are built on inclusivity, bringing together children from all backgrounds, including children of genocide survivors and perpetrators, children with disabilities, and historically marginalized communities. The workshops will also celebrate togetherness and friendships through photography, offer and empower children with disabilities to tell their stories visually, and spotlight the lives and talent of historically marginalized youth. The exhibition comes at a time when Rwanda and the world observe the 31st commemoration of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, telling healing stories through photograpy and reflecting post-genocide Rwanda’s journey through the eyes of the children. Habumugisha reflected the impact of photography, saying that it changed their lives as children, gave them a voice, a sense of identity, and a way to see the world differently. “Now we pass that gift on to the next generation, hoping it does the same for them,” he added. And Bizimana, who first held a camera at Madam Carr’s Imbabazi orphanage aged between 8 and 9, said, “Photography gave me a voice and changed my life. Now, as a photojournalist and TTEC instructor, I’m proud to give that same opportunity to other vulnerable children. It’s my way of giving back.” According to the exhibition organizers’ statement, TTEC’s collection of photographs is the largest taken in Rwanda, post genocide, by the nation’s most vulnerable, its children. TTEC’s unique photo workshop model is not only in Rwanda, it extends into countries like the United States, Germany, Haiti, and Nepal, empowering vulnerable children and teaching them photography while helping them to share their stories. Among prominent places where photographs from the projects have been showcased are the United Nations in New York, the Hart Senate Building in Washington, DC, the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, Holocaust Museums, the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, and throughout Canada and Europe with major museums and universities.
