Empower. Inspire. Transform:
Dimitrie Sissi's Journey to Change

" On pages 179 and 180, Dimitrie recalls how she got her first job following a brief interview with the head of office of the Belgian Red Cross who happened to be me. She also mentions that, when asked, she would tell people that she was out of the country during the genocide since it was mentally too much for her to tell her true story to strangers. I was one of those who got that answer which was easy for me to believe as Dimitrie was always positive, optimistic and full of life. One can probably imagine the shock I felt, 27 years later, after reading the true and detailed story of what happened to herself and her family during these 100 days of total horror which killed so many and left scores is survivors deeply traumatised up to today. Beyond deep sympathy for Dimitrie’s suffering and her incredible loss of family members, I can only express my deepest respect for how she embraced life and managed to succeed in life, personally as well as professionally. This book is a hard reading and a welcome correction of those whose understanding of the genocide is based on merely having watched “Hotel Rwanda”. It took Dimitrie 27 years to put the personal loss, fear and sheer horror on paper. I sincerely hope that many will take the time to read her testimony. There can only be one conclusion: “never again”. A conclusion that is all the more relevant when witnessing the dramatic events in Ukraine today. To Dimitrie, respect !”

“Dimitrie is a true storyteller, she wrote this book with her heart; I cried and was shaken in sorrow by her journey of life, in Rwanda. The book is about love and tolerance, wisdom and above all faith and resilience against all odds.”

Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2022. This book is one of the best memoir which tells the Rwanda’s tragedy of 1994 Genocide of the Tusi. This is Dimitrie Sissi Mukanyiligira real story, a story of a brave Rwandan genocide survivor, a woman that controls her destiny and becomes a leader of reconciliation, and hope. This excellent read opens a window to Rwanda’s present.

J’étais honorée de lire vos deux chapitres surtout : Rwanda Is Me And of course Do Not Accept To Die kind of resonates with everyone who is a survivor of anything but the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is the worst sill so its wow to see you that strong. It keeps us all going…Merci

I read this book and I love it so much. It gave me a clear picture of everything that happened at that time and how it happened. I loved how you narrate every situation and events. I am a few weeks younger that your first born and I am your huge fan. Thank God who saved your life, your family and Rwandans and gave us a hero in HE Paul Kagame. May God bless your heart.

I have got a chance to read “Do Not Accept To Die” by Dimitrie Sissi Mukanyiligira. When I started reading, I couldn’t wait to get to the part of how she didn’t accept to die and I realized it is a decision she made everyday after everything she has been through. As young generation I have learnt love, humanity, the value of life and peaceful country we have now, the peace and security we couldn’t take for granted.

Sissi, je viens de terminer de lire ton livre. Un grand merci de tout cœur pour avoir la force de nous partager ta vie. Praise the Lord indeed. I am thrilled and grateful to have met you. Thank you so much. My heart in enriched by your book. Count me as another Donat for you and yours. Blessings at all accounts,

Murakomeye ? Nitwa Karekezi Christa nkaba ndi umu jeune Vice Coordinateur wa AERG muri collège Saint André. J’ai vraiment adore votre livre « Do Not Accept To Die » cyanyigishije byinshi cyane. Ton père est toujours fier de vous depuis la en haut au ciel, ne doute jamais de cela. I am one of the young girls you inspired a lot. You gave me strength to overcome anything and fight for my life and my country. It was very important and nice to know your story and it gave me courage to ask my parents to share how they survived the genocide against the Tutsi as this will also help them to heal. And as for us the second generations, w are also facing a lot of trauma and issues related to the genocide against Tutsi and it is you and other parents survivors to help us overcome. Thank you so much.

Hello my wonderful and amazing beautiful found sister ! I just want to say that I’ve just finished reading your book. Since I started reading it yesterday, I’ve never wanted to put it down. Everything happens for a reason in life, my late tennis coach used to say to me “liquid finds their levels”! Meeting you was already a blessing but reading your story have given me so much hope in the great human spirit. I’ve cried, smiled and celebrated your journey. Our stories are so similar but yet thousands of miles apart. Finding Nina was a joy. I smiled for the fact rather you throw a tantrum because they wanted to deny you your seed. Thank you for this memoir and I know we are going to shake the world with our stories. I love your book and once again, thank you my sister. Count me in to be part of your foundation. I don’t have a skirt but I can manage…to spread the word.