At an international conference on genocide held in Kigali, Rwanda, in the first week of April, it was suggested that the survivors of the genocide should tell their stories as they are the people best suited to give an accurate account of what happened.
As part of the 18th genocide commemoration, Rwanda has organized an international conference in Kigali on April 5-6, 2012, with the theme: “18 years after the Genocide Perpetrated against Tutsi: Testimonies and Reflections”.
The Gregorian Schola Karolus Magnus (the Netherlands) just released their latest CD “The Martyred Virgins: A Gregorian memorial to female victims of violence”. On it, one can hear parts of the testimonials of three Rwandan women who were profiled in “The Men Who Killed Me”. The music is a tribute to all women all over the world who face violence.
On November 5th, Tilburg University will host a meeting in remembrance of the Rwandan genocide. Co-writer and professor Anne-Marie de Brouwer and professor Rianne Letschert will share their recent experiences in Rwanda where they met with survivors featured in “The Men Who Killed Me”.
Different organizations around the world are organizing events to commemorate the 15 years since the Rwanda genocide. The Survivors Fund (SURF), Foundation Rwanda, and Rwanda Remembered are organizing commemorative readings of testimonials and concerts to support survivors in Rwanda.
15 years after the beginning of the Rwandan genocide, there will be a commemorative launch of the book “The Men Who Killed Me” and exhibitions in Canada and the Netherlands featuring photos of survivors whose testimonials are featured in the book. During the commemoration, excerpts from testimonials featured in the book will be read.
In July 2008, Sandra and Anne-Marie interviewed Adela and Jeanette, Rwandan survivors of the genocide, for the book. Jessie Gakwandi and Doris Uwicyeza assisted with the translation between English and Kinyarwanda.
Fifteen years after the Rwandan genocide, The Men Who Killed Me features testimonials from seventeen survivors. Through their narratives and portraits, sixteen women and one man bear witness to the crimes committed against hundreds of thousands of others. Proceeds will go to Mukomeze, a charitable organization established to improve the lives of girls and women who survived sexual violence in the Rwandan genocide.
Marie Louise is one of the women featured in our book and her portrait will be on the cover. She is a woman of amazing strength and courage, having survived a church massacre during the genocide in which 300 people perished.
