Ryan HinesCarl Wilkens, the only American who chose to remain in Rwanda after the genocide began there in 1994, will speak at Chapman University at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in Sandhu Conference Center, Room D.
Wilkens is the former head of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International in Rwanda. His choice to stay in Rwanda and try to help resulted in preventing the massacre of hundreds of children over the course of the genocide.
He was featured in Frontline’s “Ghosts of Rwanda” and “The Few Who Stayed: Defying Genocide,” an American Radio Works documentary which aired on National Public Radio. His humanitarian work has been recognized with several awards including the Dignitas Humana Award from Saint John’s School of Theology Seminary and a 2005 Medal of Valor from the Simon Wiesenthal Center.
After quitting his job in 2008 to dedicate himself full-time to humanitarian aid work, Wilkens formed the educational non-profit World Outside My Shoes with wife Teresa. A 35-minute documentary, I’m Not Leaving, is expecting a wide release soon.
Wilkens’ presentation is sponsored by the College of Educational Studies, the office of the Chancellor and the Freshman Foundations Course. The event is free and open to the public.
Wow! What an awesome and inspiring story.