RESPECT, EMPATHY, INCLUSION
World Outside My Shoes
World Outside My Shoes

What are students saying about the presentations…..

“Thank you so much for coming to visit us.  Your dedication to ending the genocide is inspiring.  But most inspiring of all is your ability to keep such a positive attitude in the face of such destruction.  It was so cool to be able to see the survivors and victims of genocides as individuals, not just numbers.  Thank you!” ~ Margaret

“Thank you so much for coming to speak.  Your lecture you gave was brilliant and I am awed with the amount of courage and strength you portray.  What you did to help save others is truly inspiring.  Thank you also for talking about the effects of hate and about judging people.  This was very eye-opening.  Thanks so much.  I wish you the best on your journey and thanks for all you do.  Bless your heart.” ~ Andrea

“By now, you’ve probably read many, many cards expressing love, admiration and happiness to you for visiting our school.  And through it all, you may ask…..DO THEY REALLY CARE?!  And I’m here to reassure you….they do.  These cards really do express gratitude to you for your visit, and generally to you.  I’m sure that STAND loved having you here….I know that I loved hearing your story and sharing your life experience.  From both STAND and I, Thank You!” ~ Beau

“I truly loved your speech and it really affected me.  I think you’re a true hero for staying and helping all those people.  It was very brave and extremely selfless which is what being a hero is all about.” ~ Ben

“Thank you so much for coming in and speaking to our students.  Your story is a truly inspiring story.  I will become a better person because of the life lessons I’ve learned.” ~ Zach

“I want to thank you so much for visiting our school and informing us of your experiences and telling us how each and every one of us can affect our society and the influence of our attitudes will greatly impact the future world.” ~ Austin B

“Thank you so much for your very inspirational speech.  It has really motivated me to do better things.  I’m looking at the world differently now.  You have motivated me to take a mission trip to South Africa and to try and make the world a better place.  Thank you.” ~ Austin H

“Thank you very much for coming to our school.  We were very inspired by your presentation and are very grateful for your humanitarian work.” ~ ColteLena

“Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to come and visit our school.  I enjoyed listening to you and your experience and opinions of genocide.  You gave us some great suggestions during the breakfast as to how we can raise awareness.  You both were so friendly and easy to talk to.  If you are ever in Tampa again, please feel free to stop by!” ~ Taylor

“Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit our school and spread the word about genocide.  You have inspired all of us in STAND to be more aware of the world around us.  Hopefully the rest of our school was inspired as well.  Thanks for everything you’ve done.” ~ Josh

“Thank you so much for coming down to speak to us on Friday.  It really means a lot to all of us.  In middle school I headed up a middle school version of STAND and learned a lot about what was going on.  It really brings a lot to hear a personal story of living through genocide and I think that’s what we really need to bring this to an end.  Thank you guys so much for coming.” ~ David  

“I wanted to thank you for coming to talk to us about your experiences in Rwanda.  I looked at www.erasegenocide.org and I will definitely try to help.  One of the things I learned from you is that even the smallest group of people can make a difference, so thank you again.” ~ Katie

“It was an honor to meet you two.  You are both so inspiring and very influential people.  I thought your talk during my 3rd period History class was fascinating, and it really motivated me to think about what I do and to take an even stronger stand on world affairs.  Thank you so much for visiting us and we would love to see you again.” ~ Mihir

“Thank you so much for coming to Tampa Prep and sharing your story with us all.  Carl – your presentation was outstanding and really hit home.  The photographs in particular added so much, and I think it made genocide more real for a lot of people.  Your speech was truly inspirational.  Thank you so much, again, and I really enjoyed having breakfast with you both.  You’re inspired everyone in STAND.  Thank you!” ~ Hannah

“Thank you for coming to speak at Tampa Prep and sharing your incredible story.  What you both have done to help Rwanda is so honorable and courageous.  I enjoyed hearing about the experiences you both faced.  You both are heroes!  Thank you again!” ~ Ashlie

“Your story is truly inspiring.  Because of you and what you do to erase genocide, it makes me want to become a better activist for Darfur.  Please keep doing what you do!” ~ Daniel

“Thank you so very much for spending so much time with the members of STAND at T-Prep.  You both are such an inspiration.  I hope to take some of your ideas and push our work with the students even more so!  Looking forward to seeing you again.”

Students at Tampa Preparatory High School – Tampa, FL

 

 

 

“He inspired me to take action”
I like that he was “human” “real”
“We can make a difference”
“Don’t point fingers – look at their perspective”
“Labels are harmful”
“He focused on the people [of Rwanda] – I liked that”
“I liked his stories about the children then and now … the pictures showing how they grew up…”
“He re-humanized” even the perpetrators
“He humanizes people”
“I liked how he sees the importance of language [and how difficult it is to find the right word] – he looks for the right words”
“Carl didn’t put us in a state of fear, but in a state of reflection”
“I loved the stories of humanity and the children”
“I liked that woman’s quote – ‘We are all children of God'”
“He had courage in a realistic fashion”
“I [found it interesting] that he admitted he had conflicting emotions about making alliances with the perpetrators in order to save the orphans”
“He was honest and acknowledged he has prejudices and has to work [through] them, just like we do”
“Take small steps”
“I like that he is still trying to make a difference”
“I liked his story about Trifine”
“I liked his story about the guy in the Raiders jacket”
“I liked his personal stories – they made connections with us”
“It is important to heal and forgive”
“I liked the question and answer format”
“It is not just the government/UN who must be involved – we must be involved”
“I admire Teresa, she set aside her own feelings for the benefit of others”
“Teresa is just as heroic as Carl”
“Carl changed the way I think”
“Although facts are important, I like how his talk was personal and not just facts”
“I like his modern connections”
“I like his humor and stories”
“I liked the letter from the student… that’s how I felt too”
“I liked his relateable emotions”
“I liked that he focused more on the upstanders and doing good”
“I want to join him on his bike!”
“I love how he described the beauty of the people”
“Start small”
“I liked the story about the kid who refused to kill anyone”
“I’m inspired by Carl, his wife, and his children”
“I like that others inspired Carl”
“I liked his bike stories”
“I liked his story and connection to the children who helped him clean out the barrels”
“I liked how he explored the word, peace, – how this word has different meanings for different people”
“I liked when he said humanity has the capacity for good and for evil”
“I liked how he showed the humanity of the perpetrators – they’re not just all evil – when he talked about the militia carrying a machine gun in one arm and blankets for the orphans in the other”
“I like that Carl and Teresa are still upstanders”
“… Like what we have learned in class this year, humans are a paradox with the potential to do good or evil” … “the choice is ours…”
“I like the story about Todd – play the game well, we are teammates, not competitors”
“I admire his courage to go through the pain to tell us and others about his experience”
“I like hearing about what current students are doing or have done [to make a difference in the world]”
“I liked the story about the girl who thought the photographer was half goat”
“Building relationships is so important”
“I like the story of the boy who saw the news article about – I think it was India, and how he is now doing something for those children”
“I like that he is upbeat”
“We always have a choice”
“Don’t define Rwanda by 100 days of history”
“You have a choice even if it is only a choice on how you suffer”
“I like the offer of hope, not just sadness – we felt empowered”
“Start small – I can do that”
“Look beyond the perpetrator – they are human”
“I like his stories about life”
“I like his connections”
“We can be different [than those in the past], we can make a difference”
“He was real, genuine and he connected with us”
“I like his humility – he made me feel that he is just like us”
“I like the pictures of the kids in Rwanda and the stories”
“We are people” … “We are all part of the human family”
“Look through the eyes of others”
“Why do our service clubs on campus feel the need to compete?  Because you know, it really sometimes becomes a competition.  We need to work together… set common goals and work towards them”
“I like the story about the kids who were asked, ‘who should go?’; it revealed stereotypes and the importance of [all] people”
“The line between perpetrator and victim moves easily”
“Hate and jealousy can lead to danger”
“You can never do enough”
“We always have choices”
“I want to make a difference”
“Start small”

Students at Mission San Jose High School
Fremont, CA