Coming Up….

Rwanda Yesterday and Today

 Darfur Tomorrow

An Evening With Carl Wilkens – The only American who stayed in Kigali during the 1994 genocide (click around the site to learn more of the story)

When:  Jan 28 & 29

Where: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Mi

 

(email Teresa.Wilkens@gmail.com with questions)

 

 

CLICK HERE for SPEAKING SCHEDULE

 

 

Save Darfur Coalition and World Outside My Shoes
Present
An Evening With Carl Wilkens

"I can still hear very clearly the sound of hoes thwacking into the earth… the men swinging them were not gardening, they were digging up mass graves.”

"…Take a moment to try and put yourself in the shoes of the family members and friends who had loved ones taken from them.  Surviving is more than just staying alive; surviving is learning how to live again"

Carl Wilkens, former head of Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) in Rwanda, was the only American to remain in Kigali, Rwanda once the genocide began in 1994.

 Come hear Carl’s personal first-hand account of life for the people of Rwanda as their country collapsed, as well as stories of those who stood up against the killers.   The evening will highlight what we as global citizens have in common, how our commonalities are so much greater than our differences and what that means for our response to violence – from bullying to genocide.

  World Outside My Shoes  

An Educational Non-Profit    

 

Learning from Rwanda to equip and inspire each one of us to enter the world of the “Other”. The “Other” may be under our own roof or on the other side of the globe.

 
 
 Carl Wilkens is the former head of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International in Rwanda.  In 1994, he was the only American who chose to remain in the country after the genocide began.  His choice to stay and try to help resulted in preventing the massacre of hundreds of children over the course of the genocide. 
 
Wilkens 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 story reminds us of the profound connection between history and the moral choices we face each day.  It also arms us with new insights in the fight against genocide  along with tools and inspiration for re-evaluating the relationships we are part of every day.
  
Wilkens’ 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.

This year, Wilkens has embarked on a multi-city tour of the United States to share his story with students, teachers, activists, policy-makers and community members.  While sharing experiences of what day to day life in Rwanda was like during the genocide, Wilkens focuses on the courage and resilience he witnessed with people facing horrendous choices in the middle of unimaginable slaughter.
 
Wilkens asks if we really do believe what we see, or is it more often that we see what we believe, which makes exploring what we believe about ourselves and others so important in shaping the world we are a part of.
 Our Goal:      To inspire and equip people to stand up

                       against genocide, racism, and intolerance.

 Our Values:  Integrity • Dignity • Community

                       Simplicity • Respond-ability

 Our Motto:     One person really can ignite change

                        when they discover the power of choice!

If you would like to book Carl Wilkens for a school, community, or church/temple event please email him at: carl@worldoutsidemyshoes.org..

 
Wilkens’ telling of his own experiences puts a human “face” on genocide,  showing us that the perpetrators, victims, and resistors will not soon be forgotten, and teaching participants how one person really can make a difference.
 
 

 
 
Things are Rolling at Pedaling2Peace.org
Check it out:

 
 
  
 

 
We received our 501(c)3 tax exempt status! Public Charity
Donate any amount (tax deductable)
 
ALL OF YOU HELPED US GET ALL OUR EQUIPMENT!!

Thank you so very, very much!

 
What we currently need are gifts that will enable us to continue presenting in public schools who have limited or no budget for this type of assembly program (we all know how our school budgets have been hit).
 
While some schools are able to pay something and/or do fund-raising for Pedaling2Peace, we are still not quite meeting our monthly expenses.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Click here to watch "Ghosts of Rwanda" clips – Youtube
 
          
Click here to watch interview with college students – Road Trip Nation
 
  
  

Endorsements


United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Peter J Fredlake – Coordinator, Museum Teacher Fellowship Program
"Carl’s story reinforces the abstract idea of the ‘power of one." P. Fredlake
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW
Washington DC 20024-2126
202-314-0352
202-314-7888 FAX
pfredlake@ushmm.org
Committee on Conscience


U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Bridget Conley-Zilkic – Project Director
"The 1994 genocide in Rwanda illustrated the absolute worst in humanity — not only in how it was perpetrated, but also in how the people of Rwanda were abandoned by the world. Against this horrible history, the brave and honorable decision of Carl Wilkens to stay and help stands out as a glimmer of hope for everyone, then and now." B. Conley-Zilkic
100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl. SW
Washington DC 20024-2126
202-488-6195
www.ushmm.org/conscience
BConley-Zilkic@ushmm.org


Florida Holocaust Museum
Szczepinska,Urszula – Curator of Education
"Hearing Carl’s story has been a life-changing experience for the Summer Institute participants.  He has been a source of inspiration for all of us and we use his message in our efforts to make the world around us a better place. Our Museum is proud and honored to be able to work with Carl."
U. Szczepinska
55 Fifth Street South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701
Tel: 727.820.0100 ex.241
Fax: 727.821.8435
uszczepinska@flholocaustmuseum.org

 

Facing History & Ourselves

Mark Skvirsky, National Program Director

"Carl is an inspiring teacher. He weaves his powerful personal story about his experiences during the Rwandan genocide with issues of justice in the world today. He engages students and adults in an examination of how our choices matter and encourages a dialogue about how we can all make a difference."                                                             
16 Hurd Road
Brookline, MA 02445-6919
Office Phone: 617-232-1595
Toll-free Number: 800-856-9039
marc_skvirsky@facing.org

 

Save Darfur
Jerry Fowler – President
"Carl is a true hero. His quiet courage has inspired me and will inspire anyone who hears his story.  I wish every young person — indeed, every person — in America could meet Carl. He is such a powerful inspiration that I can’t think of anything that would contribute more to making our world a better place." J. Fowler
Suite 3352120 L Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20037
(800) 917-2034
jerry@savedarfur.org


Genocide Intervention Network
Mark Hanis – Executive Director
"Carl is one of the best examples on how ordinary people can do extra- ordinary things in the face of genocide. He shows us that we can and must all be upstanders to genocide." M. Hanis
1333 H Street, NW
First Floor
Washington, DC 20005
Office: (202) 481-8220
Fax: (202) 682-1867
Hanis@genocideintervention.net

 The School for Ethics and Global Leadership                               "Carl Wilkens is, hands down, the best speaker I have ever introduced to my students.  He is inspiring, honest, kind, passionate, and genuine.  He is an extraordinary, riveting storyteller.  Most of all, he will gently challenge you to examine your life and your connections with others."
– Noah Bopp
Founder and Director
The School for Ethics and Global Leadership
PO Box 11633, Washington DC  2008             Tel:202.680.3264
 www.schoolforethics.org

 

 

 

 

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