Genocide survivor to address Dismas
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By Josh O'Gorman STAFF WRITER - Published: May 29, 2009
Charity, forgiveness and redemption: these are the themes that will be addressed during an award ceremony and keynote speech in Rutland by a survivor of the Rwandan genocide.
Joseph Sebarenzi, 46, lost both of his parents and seven siblings to genocide in 1994. He later served as the head of the Rwandan Parliment, but instead of seeking revenge, he pushed for peace and reconciliation.
Sebarenzi sees similarity between his mission and that of Rutland Dismas House, which offers transitional housing to men and woman coming out of prison and whose mission is to "reconcile society with prisoners and prisoners with society."
"It's a two-way process, but it can be an internal transformation, especially for the prisoners who suffered in prison and have to forgive society," he said. "It's about holding them accountable, but in a very humane way."
Sebarenzi is the featured speaker Saturday at the Rutland Dismas House 19th annual Benefit Dinner and Auction at the Holiday Inn.
Sebarenzi said following the genocide in Rwanda, he himself underwent a transformation from resentment and anger to forgiveness, which is the subject of his book that will be published in September called "God Sleeps in Rwanda: A Story of Survival and Reconciliation."
"During the genocide, I wondered, 'Where is God? Is God Sleeping?'" he said.
The event Saturday begins at 3 p.m. with a reception and bluegrass music from Blind Rooster. At 5 p.m. there will be a live auction and dinner, awards and the keynote address will begin at 6 p.m.
The Rutland Dismas House on Saturday will also present the 2009 Jack Hickey, OP Award to a pair of music groups who, both together and separately, have raised thousands of dollars for orphans in Zimbabwe.
Those groups are the Baasch family of Wallingford and the Grace Congregational Church Choir of Rutland, and since 2005 these groups have raised more than $40,000 to provide medical and dental services for the Newstart Children's Home.
The Baasch family consists of parents David Baasch and Debra Gardener-Baasch, and children Douglas, Danielle and Deanna Baasch. In 2005, David Baasch said, his children were playing in an orchestra and became friends with a child whose grandparents had founded the Newstart Children's Home.
After learning about the orphanage, the family decided to visit, and were accompanied by Rip Jackson, minister of music for Grace Congregational Church.
"I was really moved by how a little money would help these children's lives," Jackson said.
While the Baasch family has taken their act on the road — performing classical music for audiences in Europe, Asia and China — the Grace Congregational Church Choir has staged a series of concerts in Rutland, offering its interpretation of African music.
A limited number of tickets for $50 are still available but must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door. For tickets or more information, call Rita McCaffrey at 824-3660.
josh.ogorman@rutlandherald.com
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