A Rwandan genocide survivor, Immaculee Ilibagiza who also authored a book titled, “Left to Tell” will on Sept. 17, in Tahoe California share her experience on the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.
The book and her speech will be presented in honor of the international day of peace and in support of Peace One Day due to be celebrated on Sept. 21.
Ms. Ilibagiza will focus on her experience during the Rwandan Holocaust and passionate to forgiveness. She will also give an update on Rwanda, the work she does with her ‘Left to Tell’ Charitable Fund, which directly benefits the children orphaned by the genocide, and her personal development.
Ilibagiza’s book which illustrates God’s love amidst the Rwandan Holocaust is a shining example of someone who learned to forgive the unforgivable.
In 1994, Ilibagiza spent 91 days hiding in a 4 x 3 foot tile bathroom with seven other women while savage killers hunted them.
Her friends and neighbors turned against her, burned her home to the ground and mercilessly butchered her family. While she hid she lived on table scraps and her faith in God.
The only weapons she had against the fear, rage, hatred and hopelessness that tormented her every waking moment were prayer, meditation and visualization.
“I had to find a way to get the hatred from my heart, but that was beyond me. I turned to God and asked Him to help, and He did. He touched my heart and taught me how to forgive those I hated,” she is quoted as saying. She prayed for the murderers, that they would see the evil of their ways and be forgiven. In doing so, she was transformed for “Victory over hatred can be won with love”.
Since its 2006 publication “Left to Tell,” has been translated into 15 languages and Ilibagiza has become known as a world-leading speaker on peace, faith and forgiveness.
In June 2007, For Goodness Sake hosted her appearance at the North Tahoe Conference Center.
Nancy Lopez, who saw her speak in 2007, said, “It was amazing. What was so wonderful is she had a way of telling her story with so much love, forgiveness and passion. I expected the night to be somber but what I took home was this love that she had, this love for humanity.”
In 2001 all of the United Nations member states voted to adopt an annual day of ceasefire and non-violence to coincide with the International Day of Peace, Sept. 21. Anyone anywhere may celebrate Peace Day. It’s a day to put down weapons, a day to commemorate peace and a time to make peace with you and others.
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