Miracle in Kigali 2019 Edition

The 2019 edition of Miracle in Kigali, marking the 25^th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, will be published by PaulDickson Books on Monday 8 April.

The new edition updates Illuminée and Roger’s story, including Roger’s developing film and TV acting career. He was most recently seen as Dadir Hassan in the BBC drama Informer.

The authors are donating £2 from the sale of every book to Glaven Valley Churches' work with the Life in Abundance charity in Rwanda.

Paperback, price  £12. ISBN 978-0-9956187-9-4.

Miracle in Kigali was first published by The Tagman Press in October 2007.

How does it feel to wake up every morning for more than three months facing the prospect that you and your newborn baby are likely to be brutally murdered that day?

This was the experience of Illuminée Nganemariya, a young Tutsi bride. By a seeming miracle, she and her son Roger survived the 1994 attempt by Rwanda’s Hutu extremists to wipe their Tutsi neighbours from the face of the earth.

Illuminée existed for 100 days in the living hell of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, after watching her husband be dragged away to be killed by friends who had celebrated their wedding with them a month earlier.

She embarked on a horrific journey through the Genocide, with her baby strapped to her back – their survival was a miracle.

Illuminée and Roger moved to the UK in September 1996 and have built a new life in Norwich.

‘Illuminée still cannot explain how she and her son Roger survived. Reading her book, it becomes clear that there were many, many, miracles.’ Rowan Mantell, Norwich Evening News.

‘Miracle in Kigali is an extraordinary document – a unique, tragic, insiders guide to Genocide. This is a book about what a mother will endure to keep her child alive. I read it and wanted to give Illuminée a big hug. She’s my hero.’ Nick Andrews, BBC

Thank you - African & Caribbean Market

We had a great time at the African & Caribbean Market at The Forum Norwich last month. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and bought a copy of Miracle in Kigali and the Rwandan crafts that we had on display.

Norwich Global Village African & Caribbean Market 28 and 29 September 2018

We will be at the African & Caribbean Market at The Forum in Norwich on 28 and 29 September with copies of Miracle in Kigali and Rwandan cards and baskets.

10th Anniversary Edition of Miracle in Kigali - October 2017

Roger Nsengiyumva and Illuminee Nganemariya, February 2017

October 2017 is the 10th anniversary of the publication of Miracle in Kigali. We are going to publish a new print and ebook edition then, with a new cover, additional photographs and a chapter on developments since 2007.

The extra chapter will include details of Roger's acting career, which began with Africa United in 2010 and includes his London stage debut at The National Theatre in Les Blancs (2016).

50 Christmas Trees in a Church, Dickleburgh, Norfolk

We have a Miracle in Kigali tree again at 50 Christmas Trees in a Church, All Saints Church, Dickleburgh, Norfolk, until Sunday 6 December 2015. It was great to see Illuminee and our tree in Saturday's Eastern Daily Press.

Remember Rwanda 1994 - Genocide Commemoration Event Norwich

Thank you to everyone who joined us at last night's Remember Rwanda 1994 event at Chapel Field Methodist Church, Norwich. 

The collection for the Africa Glaven Mission raised £197.90 plus £15 gift aid; enough to buy eight family water filters to supply 200 people in Rwanda with safe drinking water. Thank you for your generosity.

Norwich Rwandan Genocide Commemoration 7 April to feature singer songwriter Jean Paul Samputu

Rwandan singer songwriter Jean Paul Samputu, who travels the world with his message of peace and reconciliation, will be in Norwich on Tuesday 7 April, to take part in the Rwandan Genocide Commemoration at Chapel Field Road Methodist Church, from 6.30pm to 8pm.

The Remember Rwanda 1994 event is being organised by Norwich resident, Illuminée Nganemariya, whose book Miracle in Kigali tells of her, and her son Roger’s, survival during the Rwandan Genocide and subsequent life in Norwich.

All are welcome at the event to light a candle in memory of the 1 million Rwandans who lost their lives during 100 days from April to July 1994. Illuminée will talk about how Rwanda is recovering from the Genocide and Jean Paul Samputu will perform his songs, which draw on the musical traditions from all of Rwanda regions.

There will be a collection for the Africa Glaven Mission, which is raising money for water purifiers in rural Rwanda. Claude Scott will also talk about the work of the Africa Glaven Mission.

Jean Paul Samputu was born in Rwanda 1962 and is a survivor of the 1994 Genocide, during which he lost his parents and three siblings. After the Genocide, Jean Paul dedicated his life and his music to further the causes of peace, healing and reconciliation. He is one of the most successful and prominent African artistes, with 16 albums and a career spanning 30 years.

Illuminée Nganemariya said: “It is wonderful that Jean Paul Samputu is joining us in Norwich on 7 April to share his message of peace and reconciliation.”

In 2014, Jean Paul recorded his latest album Rwandan Dream with Scottish musician Iain Stewart. This is a link to the song Rwandan Dream on YouTube.