4/20/2004 11:05 AM
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| Rwandan President Paul Kagame met with eighth-grader Paul Ndayizeye, who fled the African nation after the genocide of Tutsis by the Hutu majority, and Superintendent Patricia Harvey. |
These were the words that author and motivational speaker Mawi Asgedom shared with about 3,000 eighth-grade students from Saint Paul Monday, April 19, at the University of Minnesota's Williams Arena.
Asgedom, author of the book "Of Beetles and Angels," talked to the students about his experience living in a Sudanese refugee camp, immigrating to the United States and eventually graduating from Harvard.
His message was well-received by the students, all of whom had been given a copy of his book. And it was echoed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who also spoke to students about how his country is rebuilding its spirit and economy, 10 years after the genocide of Tutsis by the Hutu majority in Rwanda.
"This was deep. It really made me think about other people and how we need to help them," said Caleb, a Washington Middle School student. "We have it good here, and we should help others have it good."
According to Asgedom, Caleb and his classmates are living in the right city to "help others have it good."
"You're lucky to live in a city that cares this much about refugees," he said. "When you meet the Hmong refugees, remember that they've been through tough times, and welcome them."
The event was sponsored by Lawson Software, which also donated copies of Asgedom's book to each student.