Young human rights activist, Sandra Uwiringiyimana shares her powerful heartbreaking memoir, How Dare the Sun Rise, of the sudden collapse of family life for her parents, Sandra and her six siblings. The family, Rwandans, considered a hated Banyamulenge minority, lived in the mountains of South Kivu, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Because of the wars and rumored wars, the family were stateless, and moved from place to place. They had settled in Uvira Province, a city in South Kivu, where the close-knit, loving family lived a peaceful life until, again, unrest started.
In 2004, the family were placed in a refugee camp in Gatumba, Burundi. There is where 10-year-old Sandra witnessed the rebel massacre of families, including her six-year-old sister, Deborah, cousins, and the shooting of her mother, brother, and aunt.
In 2006, Sandra’s father heard of a resettlement program initiated to help displaced persons. After numerous interviews, the entire family were approved and immigrated to Rochester, New York, in 2007.
The memoir explores Sandra’s mental and emotional struggle, her coming of age in a new society, defining herself counter to the cultural expectations of family and, navigating through the angst of her teens, and living in America. Some might question Sandra’s behavior in some instances, but I believe she suffered Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and guilt over Deborah’s death.
The family established a new life in America, but received no family therapy. Sandra did receive brief therapy while attending college. However, Sandra mentioned that culturally, the family does not speak of their loss or unhappiness; instead, they have a strong belief in the power of prayer.
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It should be a NY Times Bestseller!!!! Everyone needs to read this!!!!
This book is hands down the most incredible, heart-wrenching yet so funny and genuine. I couldn't stop reading so I finished in a couple of hours. This is not a memoir of a war child but rather of a resilient young woman Sandra Uwiringiyimana. She was able to put into words what millions around the world have felt and experienced. I went from laughing out hard at the childhood stories to crying and then hardly breathing. Be prepared to laugh a lot and cry even harder. In the end, this book is about love in some ways. It's a journey filled with trials and triumphs, war and peace teaching us all that no matter what happens light will always drown darkness the way love trumps hate. Here's an excerpt (page 87) my favourite: " If only I had known that I would never see her again, I would have spent the years learning every curve on her face, studying those long eyelashes, memorizing the way her lips curled into a funny little twist when she was happy."
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2018
- Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2017
This book is hands down the most incredible, heart-wrenching yet so funny and genuine. I couldn't stop reading so I finished in a couple of hours. This is not a memoir of a war child but rather of a resilient young woman Sandra Uwiringiyimana. She was able to put into words what millions around the world have felt and experienced. I went from laughing out hard at the childhood stories to crying and then hardly breathing. Be prepared to laugh a lot and cry even harder. In the end, this book is about love in some ways. It's a journey filled with trials and triumphs, war and peace teaching us all that no matter what happens light will always drown darkness the way love trumps hate.
It should be a NY Times Bestseller!!!! Everyone needs to read this!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2017
Here's an excerpt (page 87) my favourite:
" If only I had known that I would never see her again, I would have spent the years learning every curve on her face, studying those long eyelashes, memorizing the way her lips curled into a funny little twist when she was happy."
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2018
Top reviews from other countries
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Anaya GieseReviewed in Germany on January 28, 2018
Mitreißendes Buch, und eine starke Persönlichkeit
