Ugandan Ambassador Visits Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village, California

Oct. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Westlake Village, California—On Friday, September 28, Oaks Christian School was honored to have Ugandan Ambassador Perezi K. Kamunanwire address a group of high school students.  In an open and deeply moving presentation, Ambassador Kamunanwire gave students some historical background about the wars and slavery that have plagued Africa for centuries.  He emphasized the need for forgiveness and reconciliation to bring about a new era of peace in Uganda and throughout Africa.

Kamunanwire explained that tribal conflicts have deeply affected Uganda and other countries like Rwanda.  “Negotiations to bring people to peace are not easy,” he emphasized.  He went on to share about the atrocities against African children by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) who terrorized whole countries, kidnapping children from their own homes and forcing them to kill their families and countrymen.  Oaks Christian School (OCS) students are not unfamiliar with this struggle and have supported the efforts of the Invisible Children organization through donations and education.  Begun by students, The Invisible Children organization works to educate Americans about the LRA enslavement of children.  Invisible Children representatives went to Washington and successfully compelled the U.S. Congress to pass bills and take action to help end the exploitation of children in Uganda and neighboring countries.  “Many children have been liberated now and placed in camps for psychological and physical help to restore them to become proper citizens,” said Kamunanwire.  He expressed gratitude for the students who were and continue to be a part of this humanitarian effort.  Earlier in the day, he had addressed students at Pepperdine University's Global Justice Program.

During lunch, Kamunanwire visited informally with OCS students and encouraged them towards forgiveness and reconciliation in their own lives.  When journalism student Taylor Burns asked the ambassador how he maintains his commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation, he responded that he draws from his Christian faith and values.  “Stop the wars, be good kids, study hard, and go to college,” Ambassador Kamunanwire admonished in his concluding remarks to students.