This book resonated with me on so many levels. It was beautiful and full of light, love, cheer — but most of all: hope.

I was twelve years old when I first learned about the Rwandan Genocide, and that was in 2011, so I’m outing myself as a baby. I was born in 1999, not long after things were attempting to settle, but I wouldn’t really understand what happened until I was nineteen.

I’ve had it rough with school and college, and was going part time during the fall of 2018, but one of my classes was called Peace and Peace Building. First of all, it was nothing like I expected it to be. My professor threw out the notion that us Americans had the duty to swoop in and save every country in need. I felt that, and grasped onto that immediately. If I want to stand with people, I cannot silence them.

His assignment that he gave us for the entire term was for us to come up with our own case studies, and I chose Rwanda and what lead up to the horrific genocide. After reading Ms. Bamurangirwa’s book, I wish I could expand that essay and explore everything my mind wanted to. And not because I wanted a better grade, but because Ms. Bamurangirwa so perfectly describes the adoration she has for Rwanda and the pride she has.

And the remarkable restorations that Rwanda has made should not be ignored. It needs to be screamed out from every rooftops in the world.

I loved this book and I loved the happiness that bled out during many parts.

I loved when she brought it back down to the reality of the horrors that Rwanda has faded and the activism she continues to provide for her country, along with many others.

I strongly recommend every person to read Ms. Bamurangirwa’s story, especially if all you know about Rwanda is the genocide.

I was excited to read this book when it was granted access to me. Unfortunately, this book needs major proofreading, restructuring and tuning the voice to make it more readable. Hence, couldn't finish it.

It's sad that my expectations of this book and it's content were way off each other. This is a personal narrative, more of a memoir of Patricia's experience as she landed in her homeland years after fleeing due to the genocide. I feel as though it'd be more memorable and would draw in readers if the chapter "Back home" was the first chapter, starting with stepping off the flight onto Kigali. What the reader is treated to in the first few chapters could be best suited in the afterword.
I was expecting something more precise, crisp and in-depth on Rwanda's journey to healing and sadly, halfway through, I only felt more of the author's feelings and emotions as she reacted to her experiences. Thanks Netgalley for the eARC, this is best marketed as a memoir with a personal/subjective voice.