Since 2005, Rwanda has accelerated its reconstruction by leaps and bounds; in fact, Kigali is the fastest growing city in Africa by percentage of population, according to the Economist 2008. Opportunities are increasing due to good government and security and a common vision for the country, Vision 2020. Yet nearly 90 percent of the population relies on agriculture for a living, in a land constantly constrained by its borders and a growing population. As a consequence, the future of Rwanda depends on the education of its people—thus powering the continued rebuilding of Rwanda by human power.
Rwanda is the most densely populated African country and one of the poorest countries in the world, ranking 158th out of 175 in the United National Human Development report, with a per capita annual income of around $300. During the 1994 war and genocide in Rwanda, between 800,000 and 1,000,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. Tens of thousands of children lost parents and were themselves victims of horrific violence; women and girls were systematically raped. Many children witnessed family members tortured and murdered, and many youth and orphans still suffer from the trauma they witnessed at a young age. Due to continued displacement of the population during and following the genocide, as well as the impact of AIDS on the adult population, the number of orphans has continued to increase. Over 50% of Rwanda's population is under 25 years of age. (UNDP)