Spared: Escaping Genocide in Rwanda and Finding a Home in America is a memoir by Clementine Msengi. During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Msengi, barely out of her teens, struggled to stay alive. As she scaled impossible walls, considered mud a source of water, and relied on the kindnesses of others, she clung to her faith and echoes from her parents' supportive advice. Fleeing from one area to another and fearing for her future, the author surrendered her difficulties to the Lord and worked hard to press forward as her beloved people, land, and way of life were pulled away. Her life in America was full of opportunities, and through prayer and perseverance, the author formulated a plan to succeed and live her dreams.

Clementine Msengi grew up in a family that did not emphasize tribal affiliations, so it seems unfair that she and her family were affected so deeply by the Hutus' actions. Follow along as she leads you through her young life and into adulthood, detailing the hardships she accepted with humility and gratitude in preparation for a life she hoped to live. Readers will see Rwandan culture and traditions through her eyes and gain a better understanding of how tribal labels impacted her life. Msengi saw compassion, condemnation, and cruelty in the actions of others. You won't escape without tears, but she may restore your faith in humanity. The author is a shining example of tenacity and hope as she rebuilt her perspective from shattered dreams and a mourning heart in her book, Spared: Escaping Genocide in Rwanda and Finding a Home in America.

Spared: Escaping Genocide in Rwanda and Finding a Home in America by Clementine M. Msengi recounts her harrowing yet hopeful journey from a joyful childhood in Rwanda, filled with cultural traditions and familial love, to the painful realities of ethnic violence that culminated in the Rwandan genocide. The author narrates her family life and explains the tribal tensions between the Hutus and Tutsis that arose from government policies of discrimination, particularly through the use of identity cards. She illustrates how these divisions were promoted in schools, churches, and communities. After finishing school, Clementine faced a major transition in her life when the genocide erupted, forcing her to seek refuge and escape from the very people she once trusted and considered friends. Despite grappling with fear, grief, and anxiety, Clementine managed to survive the genocide and eventually found her way to America, where she had to adapt to a new environment and start anew.

Spared is a poignant memoir that takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster. It is a tale of survival, rebuilding, and faith, highlighting how adversity can strengthen resilience. The story offers profound lessons about identity, community, and the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable pain. Clementine M. Msengi's narrative not only sheds light on the atrocities of the Rwandan genocide but also celebrates the healing and hope she discovered while navigating her new life in America. She shares how her past experiences motivated her to help others in need and pursue her dreams. Her story encourages readers not to dwell on anger and hurt, but to find the strength to show compassion and love. The book features both dark and lighthearted moments that will make you smile. I could hardly put it down and hope that others find the same inspiration and resilience in its pages that I did. Overall, this is a remarkable story.