Rwanda, just south of the Equator in central Africa, is a mountainous land. Situated literally in the ‘heart’ of Africa, the small, landlocked country is on the border of East and Central Africa. Its neighbours are the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire) to the west, Tanzania to the east, Uganda to the north and Burundi to the south.

Anyone visiting 'the land of a thousand hills' is in for a multitude of surprises. The loveliness and variety of the landscapes in this 'green country' is dominated to the north by volcanoes and bordered by Lake Kivu to the west. In Rwanda the great animals of the wild are protected from poachers and roam free in the vast national parks. The Volcanoes National park in the Virunga volcanic mountains with its high altitude forests, are world famous for mountain gorillas - timid and passive family oriented giants - which is teeming with wildlife both large and small, while Lake Kivu to the west offers beautiful beaches, jutting peninsulas and an archipelago of islands.

Rwandan food is quite simple, with beans, bananas, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and sorghum being the most common foods. Dairy products are also widely consumed, particularly a traditional drink of curdled milk. Those who can afford to do so also eat meat, primarily beef, goat, and chicken. Sorghum and banana beers are common as well.

Rwanda has an overwhelmingly agrarian economy. Most residents live largely from subsistence farming, growing some coffee on the side as a means of earning income. The level of industrialization remains extremely low.

Rwanda has a President, assisted by a multiparty cabinet and a Prime Minister. In 2003 a new constitution was promulgated which for the fist time enshrined principles that mark any modern democracy. The constitution established the principle of separation of powers by which the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are to be independent and not infringe upon each other's rights and duties. This is one of the most important doctrines in the Rwandan constitution. By distributing the essential business of government among three separate but interdependent branches, the Constitutional framers ensured that the principal powers of the government will not be concentrated in the hands of any single branch.

The Toy and Its Story

Rwandan Holidays

Jan 1 - New Years Day
Feb 1 - Heroes' Day
Apr 7 - Genocide Memorial Day
A day of remembrance for the genocide that occurred in 1994.
Apr 10 - Good Friday
Apr 13 - Easter Monday
May 1 - Labor Day
July 1 - Independence Day
On this day in 1962, Rwanda was finally free from Belgium colonialism.
July 4 - Liberation Day
A day of celebration where the 14 year old government has risen from the ashes of the genocide to make great and positive changes for the country.
Aug 15 - Assumption Day
Oct 1 - Patriotism Day
A day celebrating the return of the Rwanda people from around the world after the country was liberated.
Dec 25 - Christmas Day
Dec 26 - Second Day of Christmas
 

* Most holidays are spent with family and friends and church. The more political minded holidays are days of remembrance and a day of speeches and voicing concerns.

To learn more about adopting from Rwanda, please request one of Gladney's free, comprehensive Adoption Information Packets. Make your request on-line or by calling 1-800-INT-ADOP.