Westminster College to Host Speaker About Rwanda Genocide

Carl Wilkins, the only American to who chose to stay during the genocide in Rwanda, will speak at Westminster College, Tuesday, April 19, at 7 p.m. in Wallace Memorial Chapel.

Wilkins was the director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Rwanda when the genocide erupted in 1994.  Even when urged to leave by his family, his church and the United States government, he chose to stay and bring food, water, and medicine to several groups of orphans around the capital city of Kigali.

 "This sadness just came over me," said Wilkins in a PBS interview where he described the day he watched the cars and trucks rolling by.  "If the people in Rwanda ever needed help, now was the time."

 "Carl Wilkins will be speaking about his experience helping in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide and how its lessons apply to us now," said Dr. Andrea Grove, assistant professor of political science at Westminster College.

 Wilkins is the 2004 recipient of the Dignitas Humana Award, sponsored by Saint John's School of Theology Seminary.  This award honors those who recognized and strive to advance the human dignity of all persons.  Recipients of the award exemplify Judeo-Christian values of service, respect, kindness and compassion. 

 The event is free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Grove at (724) 946-7254 or e-mail groveak@westminster.edu.

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