LANCASTER, Pa. – Carl Wilkens, the only American to stay in Rwanda when the genocide began in 1994, will talk about his experiences during an appearance at HACC’s Lancaster Campus on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, from noon-1:30 p.m. in Room 203 of the East Building.

Wilkens’ lecture, “Rwanda’s Gift for You: Learning Harmony 20 Years Out,” also includes international humanitarian intervention, Rwanda today and its regional context. A question-and-answer period will follow. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Wilkens’ visit, which was prompted by a request from a current HACC student, is sponsored by the campus Office of Student Life and Multicultural Programming.

In 1990, Wilkens, a humanitarian aid worker, and his wife, Teresa, moved their young family to Rwanda in central Africa. Four years later when the genocide of the Tutsis by Hutu militia extremists was launched, Wilkens sent his family to safety but refused to leave. He became the only American in the capital city of Kigali and is credited with saving the lives of hundreds of orphans by bringing them food, medicine and water during the 100 days of the war.

His work is documented in the 2004 PBS documentary, Ghosts of Rwanda, and in his book, “I’m Not Leaving,” based on tapes he made to his wife and children during the genocide. He will share videos and photographs during the lecture.

In 2008, Wilkens and his wife formed World Outside My Shoes, a nonprofit educational and professional development organization that seeks to inspire and equip people to stand up against genocide, racism, intolerance and bullying.

Registration is requested but not required. For more information, contact the Office of Student Life at 717-358-2858.

About HACC

HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, offers nearly 200 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to more than 20,000 students at five campuses in Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York and through virtual learning. In addition, HACC serves more than 29,000 students in noncredit workforce development, public safety, adult basic education and continuing education programs offered at all campuses and off-site locations in many communities in Central Pennsylvania. For more information about what HACC has to offer, visit www.hacc.edu.

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