|
|
 |
|
“The Race For
Life” Author at Library
Few of us know someone who is a survivor of genocide. We live
comfortable, safe lives and think such horror could never happen to
us. That was also true in the neighborhoods and villages of
Rwanda where the Tutsi and Hutu tribes lived together in peace - until
April 1994 when the killings began. How did it happen? How
does it ever happen?
Theo Makombe has written a moving, heartfelt book called “The Race For
Life: Memoirs of a Rwandan Genocide Survivor.“ Theo tells of his
experiences at the time of the genocide and how he eventually put his
life back together. The Greenville Public Library is proud to
host Theo on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30 p.m. for a talk and
book-signing. Light refreshments will be served.
Theo (pronounced Tay-o) was 14 years old at the time of the
slaughter. Most of his family and extended family perished.
He was one of only 300 survivors out of nearly 50,000 people killed in
his predominately Tutsi area. His account of escaping the same
fate and of his subsequent desire for education, learning, and for
knowing God is one of courage and spiritual seeking.
After training and serving with Youth With A Mission in Rwanda and
Scotland, Theo and his young family moved to America. Over the years he
has helped develop several interdenominational ministries. He and
his wife Bri and four children currently live in Greenville. Theo
speaks at many schools and churches and other venues to share his
message of healing, peace, and the need to fight against violence.
Theo wishes to encourage young people especially to fill their minds
with education and spiritual pursuits. “An empty mind can be filled
with anything.” The seeds of hatred can be planted if people are
not vigilant. As a child he played with Hutu children but the
adults were involved in a long campaign of hatred that eventually
erupted into genocide.
Theo also sees more support for violence in the media, books, and
education today. We all need to understand the root of killing
and to not allow that kind of thinking and hatred to spread. In
answer to how killing happens - by hatred building over time, seeing
others as the enemy.
Now Theo has a new vision to go back to his home village of Rukumbeli
and assist the people to stand up for themselves and to build a new
generation. Colonization has left Africa in poverty and the
people need motivation, resources, and inspiration.
Theo uses the word “inspiration” in a deep way - as a gift from God, as
a force for change, as belief in oneself, as a recipe for life.
Come and be inspired by this young man‘s story as part of the Library’s
Adult Programming. Theo is seen with Librarian Deb Cameron.
|
|
|
|
