GREENFIELD , NH — Over the winter holidays, a high school student at Crotched Mountain School, Miles Forma, went to see the movie, Hotel Rwanda. Miles was so deeply moved by the courage of the hotel manager, Paul Rusesabagina, and so troubled by the world's indifference to the plight of both the Tutsis and the Hutus, that he went to see the movie again a few days later.
When he returned to school after the holidays, he spoke with his teachers and other staff about his struggle to make sense of the tragedy. It struck him deeply because of his Jewish heritage and his own family's terrible experience with the Holocaust.
Miles resolved that he would do something to make a difference for the children who survived the Rwandan tragedy. So with the help of Crotched Mountain staff, he organized a fundraising event to benefit the orphans of Rwanda and raise awareness about their plight. Miles' dance teacher, Pat Martin, was not surprised. "Miles is a very sensitive and caring young man. While no one would criticize him if his only focus was on dealing with the challenges he has faced in his lifetime due to cerebral palsy, he is often looking to how he can contribute to others." Miles uses a wheelchair for mobility and communicates using a Dynavox, an augmentive communications device.
On Sunday, July 10th, the public is invited to attend a special event at Carter Hall on the Crotched Mountain campus in Greenfield. The event begins with an African Dance Workshop from 2:00 to 3:00 PM. The workshop is taught by Chelsea Agee who will be accompanied by her husband/drummer, Surty "Anive" Holmes. Together they teach an African Dance Class at the Moving Company in Keene, NH. For this special event, Chelsea will also provide adaptations for dancers using wheelchairs.
After the workshop, Miles will present an analysis of the tragedy in Rwanda and a brief synopsis of the "Back to School" project sponsored by the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee which the fundraiser will benefit. The "Back to School Project" is helping to reintegrate youth from the Kibungo Prefecture who lost family members in the war, back into their communities. Initiated in 1997, approximately 1,500 orphans aged 12-18 were provided with school supplies and uniforms to enable them to return to secondary school. In addition, approximately 200 of the most impoverished students received support so that they could complete the full six-year secondary school program. This program benefits not only the young people of Rwanda, but also their families and communities by expanding the cadre of educated youth who can eventually take their places among the country's leaders.
Following Miles' presentation will be showing of the movie, Hotel Rwanda. This award winning movie is rated PG-13 due to its violence, disturbing images and strong language. Donations will be accepted. Checks should be made out to "JDC Rwanda Back to School Project." Those unable to attend the event, but wishing to make a donation can send checks to the attention of Patricia Martin, Assistive Technology Unit, Crotched Mountain Foundation, 1 Verney Drive, Greenfield, NH 03047; For more information call 603-547-3311, ext. 309.
Crotched Mountain is a charitable organization employing 900 people. Its mission is to serve individuals with disabilities and their families, embracing personal choice and development, and building communities of mutual support. Crotched Mountain provides specialized education, rehabilitation, community, and residential support services for more than 2,000 consumers, including individuals with disabilities and the elderly, living in New England and New York. For more information about Crotched Mountain please visit their web site: http://www.crotchedmountain.org/.
