Scarlett Johansson has written an essay in this week’s Hello! Magazine to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. She’s also promoting her support of the charity Candles for Rwanda, which send messages of hope and peace to the survivors of the genocide, as well as video commemorations from some famous people (like ScarJo and Tony Blair). You can even make donations, and the proceeds will be used for “a little support to provide them with the opportunity to help themselves, and a little human kindness to restore their faith in humanity.” Here’s ScarJo’s essay (edited content):

Anyone traveling to Rwanda is struck by an overwhelming hopefulness as soon as they exit the plane. It’s a hopefulness that comes from a community of people who know what the darkest depths of hell can be and yet are determined to come out of that stronger, more compassionate and more understanding; determined to never, ever let the darkness happen again.

I’m lighting a candle for Rwanda as part of a global initiative marking the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide. Candles4rwanda.org is intended to commemorate the million Rwandans slaughtered in 1994 and to promote support for destitute survivors who are still suffering as a consequence of the genocide today. I think that right now, as Rwanda is rebuilding and really finding its identity after the genocide, this is the time to support the country and its people – to take what’s thriving there and nourish it.

When I visited Rwanda…one of the most important things that the genocide survivors expressed to me was their need for continuing global support; the necessity of a global campaign to support Rwanda during this time of reconstruction…. [Rwanda has] a very fragile society that has known the most nightmarish hell.

Thousands of orphans and widows, whose homes, means of living, loved ones and whole communities were taken away from them, are still suffering the economic and material consequences of the genocide. [Some survivors] have been forced into prostitution.

Candles for Rwanda is intended to help change all that by giving these survivors a little support to provide them with the opportunity to help themselves, and a little human kindness to restore their faith in humanity. And I think when you’ve seen the darkest depths of humanity, you have an appreciation for life that is indescribable.

[It] is so important that we continue to assist Rwanda’s people financially, through volunteer work, healthcare and education.

[From Hello! Magazine, print edition, June 9 2009]

It sounds like a very nice, respectful charity, but they don’t really seem to be asking people for large contributions. They seem to be focused on education rather than bringing money in to help the survivors of the genocide. Which is fine – this stuff starts with education. Hopefully, it won’t end with it.

Last year, Scarlett traveled to Rwanda for RED, the charity founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver. At the time, she was promoting RED products, and she said, “It was important for me to come here and see the issues we’re up against firsthand… I came here with an open mind, wanting to listen and understand.” She also donates her time to Oxfam, and has traveled on a fact-finding/humanitarian trip to India. It seems like Scarlett is one of those good celebrities who puts her time and efforts into educating herself and being on the ground, learning what people are really struggling with. I applaud her, and I hope she becomes more active in the years to come.

Scarlett Johansson is shown at a Moet event on 3/24/09. Credit: WENN.com