How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child
Written by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

Publisher’s Summary:
This profoundly moving memoir is the remarkable and inspiring true story of Sandra Uwiringiyimana, a girl from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who tells the tale of how she survived a massacre, immigrated to America, and overcame her trauma through art and activism.

Primary Source Pairing:
Sandra’s story tells of bravery in the face of fear and perseverance in the midst of struggle. The people responsible for the Gatumba massacre killed over 150 people and wounded over 100 more. Sandra and her family survived with severe wounds both physically and mentally. How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child shows the struggle of healing and the power that comes with the process. For this primary source pairing, invite students to watch an interview with Sandra Uwiringiyimana. Encourage them to make connections to what they see in the video to what they read in the text. In addition, reference a Burundi map to create a geographical context for students.

Questions for Discussion:

• Describe what you see and hear.
• What do you notice first?
• Describe any words you see on the screen.
• What other details do you notice?
• Who are the people who appear in it?
• Make a connection with something you hear in the interview with something you read in the book.

Credits:
Book Cover and Summary: Follett
“Sandra Uwiringiyimana’s Inspiration for How Dare the Sun Rise” YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRixlWGfbck
Map of Burundi: Wikipedia