Clemantine Wamariya

“'Night' may be one of the most important books that people can read today. It is a story of how hate can slowly take over a society. It shows what happens when people are dehumanized.”

“One of my fondest memories growing up in Rwanda was seeing everyone participating in community-building activities. This happened every Saturday at the end of month. People work together in cleaning streets, planting trees, and take care of each other by facilitating productive conversations and actions that are beneficial for the society.”

“It's taken a lot of years for me to learn how to share my story.”

“There are millions of people, refugees, who have experienced the same conflicts and struggles I did. They have the same potential to defy the odds and achieve great things.”

“Elie Wiesel and his book 'Night' have changed my life, shifting the way I see and treat people and inspiring me to fight injustices any way I am able.”

“The benefits of Umuganda are not merely economic. The day is intended to build community involvement and strengthen cohesion between persons of different background and levels. One such a benefit is that people can access authorities to articulate their needs and voice opinions on various issues.”

“When you receive an education, you pass it on.”

“Everything I own in my closet has a story. Stuff is not just stuff - things were given to me with love.”

“The world is part of us, and we are part of the world. Even through the smallest acts, we can demonstrate that. I believe in the human spirit, in the kindness in all of us, and I am hopeful for this world.”

“From age six to 12, I lived in seven different countries, moving from one refugee camp to another, hoping we would be wanted.”

“Like many American millennials, an 8th grade field trip first brought me into contact with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.”

“I enjoyed playing everywhere, especially my mother's garden and my neighbor's. I loved my kindergarten. We sang songs; we played everywhere and ate lunch. I had a childhood that I would wish for anyone.”

“Forgiveness allowed me to wash my burdened past away.”

“My day-to-day varies. I do some public speaking. I talk to school groups.”

“Never allow other people to classify you based on your past and current circumstances, where you were born, your experiences, your gender, or your race.”

“It occurred to me that memorials shouldn't be grand. If you really want to honor the memory of a tragedy, you shouldn't create areas of calm reflection. You should make people uncomfortable. Put them in the shoes of those who perpetrated and those who suffered. Then ask, would they be able to forgive in these situations?”

“It has taken me so many years to finally be in my bed and fall asleep for six hours.”

“The idea of somebody suffering is really painful to every human. In our collective language, we all too often see those who are suffering as a victim to be pitied, to be feared, and even sometimes to be despised. I want to redirect that narrative.”

“I think, when you survive any intense experience, people try to moralize you; a lot of people just try to raise you high, and it's so not fair to you and to everybody else.”

“Sharing presumes and creates equality.”