Honoring Life

Here at PeaceTalks we are committed to finding unique and creative ways that people are working towards reconciliation. The Book of Life, started by Odile Katese, is one example of the creative healing processes being taken up in Rwanda.

Although Ms. Katese was in exile at the time of the genocide, the pain and trauma from the genocide was still very evident upon her return. A truth commission had been established and a number of memorials to the victims had been erected, but it was clear that the survivors still needed a way to connect with their loved ones and honor their lives. The Book of Life was born out of this need. In 2009, she began a collection of letters written by orphans, widows, and perpetrators of the genocide to their loved ones who were killed. By remembering the lives of the victims and not just their deaths, this project seeks to help put a “human face” to the genocide anniversary commemorations each year.[1]

In addition to collecting letters from those within Rwanda, Ms. Katese plans to collect 100 letters from 100 countries around the world, each addressed to a victim of the genocide. These letters will be compiled into a book that is due to be released in 2014, which will mark the 20^th anniversary of the genocide. They will also be recorded and aired on local, national, and international radio broadcasts throughout the 100 days of the genocide in commemoration.

This project is truly a unique one that is seeking to help heal the deep wounds still present in Rwanda. We are so excited about the work Ms. Katese is doing and look forward to seeing how this project grows and impacts the people of Rwanda!

For more information about The Book of Life, visit Rwanda Professional Dreamers.

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[1] http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=41754&Cr=rwanda&Cr1=