The Organization for Peace, Justice, and Development in Rwanda, Inc. (OPJDR)
is a non-stock, non-profit and apolitical organization registered and based in
Delaware.
WHO WE ARE - More than 250 volunteers work for OPJDR from North America,
Europe and the Great Lakes region of Africa. We are, economists, lawyers,
journalists, academics, and Great Lakes region of Africa experts of diverse
backgrounds. We often join forces with human rights and Non-Profits organization
groups from other countries to further our common goals. A growing number of
volunteers support us.
WHAT WE DO - OPJDR is one of the largest human rights organization based
in the United States with a focus on the Great Lakes region of Africa. OPJDR
volunteers conduct fact-finding investigations into human rights abuses in the
Great Lakes region of Africa, study and seek funding of small development
projects to help refugees scattered in that region of Africa. OPJDR strive to
bring attention to the International Community about the Human Rights abuses
coupled with conflicts that became so frequent in the Great Lakes region of
Africa. This publicity helps to embarrass abusive governments and various rebel
leaderships in the eyes of their citizens and the world. OPJDR is also aimed at
assisting and providing information to the International Community for better
assistance to refugees from the Great Lakes region. OPJDR development assistance
is primarily focused in providing elementary means of subsistence, education and
small projects aimed at self-sufficiency for small groups of refugees. Other
projects includes advocacy for people affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic and help
demonstrate how this disease is a big impediment to the development of many
nations in Africa.
WHAT ARE OUR GOALS - Get involved in the peace processes in the Great
Lakes Region of Africa. Sustain contacts with Organizations, Churches, and
Governments to find aid for Women and the Youth, especially in matter of
Education, Training, small projects and subsistence. Provide assistance to
various Great Lakes Refugees with information that can help them find
appropriate response to their day-to-day challenge in Educational and Training
matters.
WHEN DID WE START - OPJDR started in November 1995 with a group of
Rwandan students and professionals based in USA. With 1994 tragedy in Rwanda and
with the arrival with a new government in Kigali, OPJDR founders were aimed to
counter the notion that human rights abuses by one side in the war in Rwanda
were somehow more tolerable than abuses by the other side. The organization grew
to cover the entire Great Lakes region of Africa as conflicts and refugees were
expanding in the region.
WHERE ARE WE LOCATED – OPJDR is based in Delaware, USA, with
representatives in Ottawa, Nairobi, Kigali, Kinshasa, Brazzaville, Kampala,
Bujumbura and Lusaka. OPJDR also follow issues in women's rights and children's
rights. Other special projects include academic freedom of refugees, prisons and
other living conditions of refugees. We target any party in the conflict if its
findings show they have been conducting Human Rights abuses. We have exposed
abuses by governments and rebels; by Hutu and Tutsi in both Rwanda and Burundi,
various rebels groups and government in Democratic Republic of Congo.
WHY - OPJDR believes that international standards of human rights apply
to all people equally, and that sharp vigilance and timely protest can prevent
the tragedies such as the ones that occurred in the entire 1990’s in Rwanda and
neighboring countries from recurring again. Furthermore, OPJDR believes it can
make a difference in becoming the voice of the voiceless when the cameras have
turned away from various refugees in the Great Lakes region of Africa. At OPJDR,
we are truly convinced that despite conflicts that continue to tear apart the
Great Lakes region of Africa, there are still people with good will who can
organize themselves to work for a better future for that region.
HOW – OPJDR is an apolitical, non-profit, non-government or non-other
organizations affiliated organization. We depend entirely on members and private
foundations contributions as well as from individuals like you. Please join
thousands of other concerned citizens in supporting a better future for the
Great Lakes region of Africa and the work of Human Rights Watch.
Together, we can raise up to make a difference