Rwanda of 1884 assigned the territory to Germany as part of German East Africa, marking the beginning of the colonial era. The explorer Gustav Adolf von Götzen was the first European to significantly explore the country in 1894; he crossed from the south-east to Lake Kivu and met the king. The Germans did not significantly alter the social structure of the country, but exerted influence by supporting the king and the existing hierarchy and delegating power to local chiefs. Belgian forces took control of Rwanda and Burundi in 1916, during World War I, beginning a period of more direct colonial rule.
Youth in Rwanda and irresponsible within Rwanda. During and after the genocide, issues of trust came to light within the country and have continued to limit certain relationships. Children with parents and children without parents are an example of continued division within Rwanda. Due to the stigma associated with them, orphans find little support within their communities. Pervasive poverty reduces some community's ability to support orphans or youth held households. With little support, issues of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress remain unfixed and are perpetuated. Young women are especially vulnerable with less potential contact with family or a caring adult than young men,