How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child

I read and interpreted this as a beautiful story of resilience, courage, hope, healing, and growth. I liked that there is an emphasis on education and how various educational experiences have impacted the author. This book is written in a more simple style than I usually read but I could not put it down. It was a gift for my teenage daughter, to help her learn more about other people, their struggles, how determination can help overcome adversity, and in the greater picture how we can relate and lean in to make a difference for ourselves, and others around us.

This book drew me in and kept me spellbound throughout! Sandra’s life story is one of pain, suffering, resilience, inspiration and finally optimism. This memoir has been life changing for me and I will be forever grateful that I just happened to pick it up.

Sandra's story should be read by all - hate can only be overcome by love and we need to understand this story to help it never happen again.

We had the privilege of meeting this young woman at a social event and heard briefly about her book. It is well written and held my interest but what is “special” about her story is that it gives you a complete picture of her & her family’s life both before and after the senseless & brutal attack they endured, her long path to recovery. She goes on to let you know about the secondary trauma and difficulty of being given the chance for her & her family to immigrant to the USA. They had to endure months of examination to prove they ‘deserved’ the status of victims of ethnic violence to be relocated to a city, in a poor area without the cultural & emotional support they needed.Her story doesn’t stop there however. She allows the reader to see her ongoing fight for personal recovery and how she is using it to become a spokesperson for both her own tribe and the cultural violence we often choose to ignore both in Africa & other parts of the world. Thank you Sandra for allowing me to understand part of your journey and recovery.And finally, make note of her name because we will probably hear about her as a positive force in the future.

A story of hardship and overcoming. A story of pain and inspiration. Sandra achieved worldwide recognition at a young age and a platform to make a difference. May God bless her and her family and the other survivors of that horrific attack.

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.

I teach refugees and asylum seekers here in the US. I came to this position in a roundabout way, during midlife, and having no personal experience whatsoever with war, terrorism, or genocide. As I read Sandra’s story, I pictured my students. It could have been any of them, or all of them. I wept, read on, and wept again. I often don’t know the exact circumstances that have brought my students to this country, but what I do know, is that I have never met a harder working, more kind or sweet group of people in my life. Despite the horrors they have endured, watching their loved ones maimed or murdered, being forced from their homes, living in horrific conditions in refugee camps where they were not guaranteed safety, they show up, they smile, they work hard, and they inspire me every day. I am honored to have touched the lives of even a handful of these courageous people. I often think that if people in our country really knew- I mean really knew- what the circumstances are that immigrants have endured, they would not be so hateful. Imagine if at any time you could be driven out of your home, and your country, or that you might be witness to merciless killings of your friends and family, with no justice and no recourse?I read the kindle version of this book but this is the kind of book I buy physical copies of, to hand out to friends and family to read. Hate has to stop. It has no use other than misery for everyone. Choose love.

Ich habe die Autorin selbst kurz auf einer Konferenz kennengelernt und musste mir sofort im Anschluss das Buch kaufen. Sie ist sehr inspirierend und es ist Wahnsinn, wie man aus so einer tragischen Vergangenheit, zumindest versucht sich ein positives Leben aufzubauen

What a heart breaking story. Beautifully written. One to pass on and tell others about until the killers are brought to justice. Insight into the struggles of a refugee family with cultures clashing. A must read!

I found this book powerful, touching and honest.