Catholic Nun Marie Josepha Mukabayire, a survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi has launched a book on her life story before, during and after the horrific episode in Rwanda's recent history.

Titled "Lessons from the Genocide against the Tutsi: Resilience and Forgiveness", the book is a valuable addition to the body of knowledge on what transpired in Rwanda, written from the perspective a member of the Catholic Clergy and showing the role, both positive and negative that the church played in the making of this tragedy and healing from it.

The book comes in a year when Rwanda has marked 30 years since the genocide against the Tutsi.

In a chilling account of how she survived with only 3 sisters out of 11 siblings and lost both parents, Sr. Marie Josepha's book is an addition to the evidence of the genocide against the Tutsi in which more than a million were killed. She also shares lessons that the world could learn from on how to prevent genocide from happening again anywhere else.

The High Commissioner of Rwanda to Ghana, Her Excellency Rosemary Mbabazi, who officiated the launch of the book, paid tribute to the courage and resilience that Sister Marie Josepha Mukabayire to open herself to the pain of reliving memories so as to provide an important addition to the body of knowledge that tells the truth of what happened presented by the people who experienced the Genocide against the Tutsi.

High Commissioner Mbabazi explained: “Unless the truth is documented and understood, the global commitment of “genocide never again” would only be a mantra because one can only prevent what is known. “Sister Marie’s story in many ways tells the life stories of thousands of survivors of the genocide against the Tutsi who will never have the privilege to share their experiences with us. “Her book therefore is a commendable contribution to preserving the memory of the heinous crimes perpetrated.”

On her part, Sister Mukabayire expressed gratitude to Rwanda and it's leadership led by H.E President Paul Kagame for having rebuilt Rwanda and creating a safe space for survivors like her to speak out about what they endured. "Today, sharing our traumatic experiences is a tremendous medicine that heals our body and soul."

A Ghanaian veteran journalist, Nana Gyan Appenteng, who covered some of the court proceedings at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda as journalist called on the global community to do what it takes to ensure that genocide of any kind and form does not happen anywhere in the world. He said: “Our cries must not be only never again but we must contribute tangible to ensure it never occurs again.”

Accounts such as this are an important tool that silences genocide denial, educate the young generation, and preserve the memory of the loved ones lost and pay tribute to them.