ROCHESTER, N.Y. – In the late 1990s, Rose Mapendo and her seven children escaped from a death camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo, considered the most dangerous place on earth for women (source: Raise Hope for Congo), and made their way to the United States. This award-winning humanitarian and human rights advocate will share her story of overcoming overwhelming obstacles at Monroe Community College’s 6^th annual Voices of Vigilance program, hosted by the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 14 in the Warshof Conference Center, Flynn Campus Center on the Brighton Campus. Parking is available in lots M and N. Tickets are $10 for the general public; free with MCC ID. Tickets are available online at www.monroecctickets.com, at the door, or by calling (585) 292-2534.

In 1998, Mapendo was living in the Democratic Republic of Congo with her husband and seven children when war broke out and those in her ethnic group were targeted. Her fellow Congolese were hunted, jailed, tortured, and raped. After sixteen months of imprisonment. Mapendo and her children became refugees and eventually made their way to the United States. Honored by the White House, she was named the Humanitarian of the Year by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in 2009. With her brother, she founded Mapendo New Horizons, which offers assistance and access to medical help for war victims, and educates about the effects of war on women and children.

According to the Genocide Intervention Network, “Conflict in the DR Congo has resulted in an estimated 5.4 million civilian deaths since 1996.”

Established in 1991, the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project is MCC’s unique organization for telling the stories of the Holocaust and other genocides while transforming individuals to become advocates for human rights. Since its inception, the HGHRP has impacted more than 1,600 students and community members through educational, commemorative and advocacy programs.