How Dare the Sun Rise
Congo, Democratic Republic

How Dare the Sun Rise

by Sandra Uwiringiyimana

War & Conflict Non-Fiction Memoir 2017

Summary

How Dare the Sun Rise is the powerful memoir of Sandra Uwiringiyimana, who recounts her childhood as a member of the Banyamulenge, a persecuted ethnic minority in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. When Sandra was ten years old, her family was living in a refugee camp in Burundi after fleeing violence in their homeland. In 2004, the camp was attacked by armed assailants, and Sandra witnessed the deaths of her mother and six-year-old sister. She narrowly escaped with her own life.

After the massacre, Sandra and her surviving family members eventually resettled in the United States, hoping to find safety and a fresh start. However, adjusting to a new country brought its own challenges, including racism, isolation, and the struggle to find a sense of belonging.

Co-written with journalist Abigail Pesta, this memoir explores trauma, displacement, identity, and resilience. Through her journey from a war-torn childhood to becoming an advocate for refugees and human rights, Sandra reflects on the power of storytelling to confront injustice and reclaim one’s voice.

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Country
Congo, Democratic Republic
Africa
About the author
Sandra Uwiringiyimana
Sandra Uwiringiyimana

Sandra Uwiringiyimana is a Congolese-born author, human rights activist, and advocate for refugees and displaced communities. Born in South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she belongs to the Banyamulenge community, a minority group that has faced longstanding discrimination and violence. As a child, she fled her homeland with her family and sought refuge in neighbouring Burundi. In 2004, when Sandra was ten years old, armed attackers massacred people at the Gatumba refugee camp, killing her mother and younger sister. After years of displacement, she and her surviving family members resettled in Rochester, New York, in 2007. Adjusting to life in the United States brought new challenges, including racism and questions of identity and belonging. Sandra became an outspoken advocate for refugees, women, and children affected by conflict. She has addressed the United Nations Security Council, calling for greater protection for children in armed conflict, and has worked with the Jimbere Fund to support communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Her memoir, How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child (2017), co-written with journalist Abigail Pesta, recounts her experiences of loss, displacement, and survival. Through her writing and activism, she seeks to bring attention to overlooked communities and the lasting human consequences of war.

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Details
Published
2017
Author
Sandra Uwiringiyimana