Release

Media Advisory: UAlbany Raises Funds for Rwandan Service-Learning Trip Through Experiential Revisiting of the 1994 Genocide

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 14, 2006)

What:
NY Times best-selling author, and Rwandan genocide survivor Immacul�e Ilibagiza will discuss her ordeal and sign her book "Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust" as the University at Albany continues to raise money to send ten students and two faculty from the School of Social Welfare from UAlbany to Rwanda this summer. A screening of "Hotel Rwanda" will also be shown with a $5.00 admission price covering all events.

Who:
Immacul�e Ilibagiza, author, Rwandan genocide survivor
Kermit L. Hall, president, University at Albany
Katharine Briar-Lawson, dean, UAlbany School of Social Welfare
Barbara Rio, director, undergraduate field education program, UAlbany School of Social Welfare
Starr Wood, assistant professor, UAlbany School of Social Welfare

When:
Friday, April 28, 2006, 6:30 p.m.

Where:
Palace Theater, 19 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY

For additional information about "Hotel Rwanda" visit the Palace Theater
For Advance Tickets: (518) 465-4663

Background:
In April 1994, the people of Rwanda endured a terrifying genocide that killed almost 1,000,000 people and orphaned 600,000 children including 22-year-old college student Immacul�e Ilibagiza. Barbara Rio, director of the undergraduate field education program, and Starr Wood, assistant professor at UAlbany's School of Social Welfare traveled with Immacul�e Ilibagiza to Rwanda in 2005. Ilibagiza's story of courage—enduring 91 days hiding out in a 3'x4' pastor's bathroom with seven other women to survive— inspired Rio to coordinate a student trip to Rwanda to help the struggling communities rebuild, and gain an understanding of Rwandan culture, history, and post-genocide development.

A documentary film is being produced based on Ilibagiza's book by three-time Academy Award nominee, Steve Kalafer. For more information visit Diary of Immaculee.

For more information on Ilibagiza's autobiography visit "Left to Tell".