Last week, a Rwandan genocide survivor visited Walsh’s campus. Her name was Immaculee Iligabiza. I had volunteered to help seat people, so got to stay and hear her amazing story.

Immaculee survived with around 7 other women in a small bathroom (3 ft X 4 ft) for 91 days. This fact alone astounded me. The man who was keeping them safe fed them scraps from his table. By keeping these women in his home, he was putting his family and himself in grave danger. If the soldiers found the women, there is no doubt that he, his family, and the women would be killed. The kindness he had to put himself in this danger, and the courage Immaculee and the other women had to be quiet and cramped for that period of time just to survive is truly inspirational.

She said that the greatest power she had to keep her alive in the bathroom was prayer. She had her conflicts with God, but came to realize he was on her side and would help her get through the genocide. Immaculee lost her entire family in the genocide, and has continued on with life. The most amazing thing is that she has forgiven those who were killing in the genocide. She holds no grudges against them, and has even told the man who killed her entire family that he is forgiven.

This power to forgive such an unforgivable act is stunning. I do not know that I would have the courage or will in my heart to forgive such an act. Hearing Immaculee’s story really made me think about people and the power of prayer, as well as the goodness in people’s hearts to forgive. I wish I could have the strength to do what she did.

I think her speech to the Walsh community really impacted many people’s lives. I think it made everyone think about what she went through and the things we hold against people in our own lives. I think that Immaculee’s story is something I will remember for a long time. It was an experience I am glad I got to take advantage of.

For more on Immaculee’s story, you can buy her book Left to Tell, or visit http://www.immaculee.com/