A Conversation with Paul Rusesabagina

This video from our First Person Series comes straight from our video vault, originally filmed in 2006. In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Paul Rusesabagina, the real-life hotel manager whose bravery during the Rwandan genocide inspired the film Hotel Rwanda. Paul recounts the harrowing events of 1994 when his small hotel in Kigali became a refuge for over 1,200 people seeking shelter from violence. With courage and resourcefulness, he used diplomacy, negotiation, and sheer determination to protect lives in the midst of unimaginable horror. Through this rare archival interview, Paul Rusesabagina reflects on the choices he made, the risks he took, and the human cost of hatred and division. His story is not only about survival, but about the power of one person to make a difference in the darkest of times. This First Person Series interview ensures that Paul Rusesabagina’s story continues to educate and inspire, reminding us of both the horrors of genocide and the resilience of the human spirit. ‪@whoelseloveshistory‬ #firstpersonhistory #genocideawareness #rwandagenocide #paulrusesabagina #africanhistory Quick Ideas for Using the Video with Students: 1. Provide the video to students as a research source for their independent projects recent world history, genocide, African history, or related subjects. 2. What is the history of the genocide in Rwanda? Explore the context and causes that led to these events. 3. Discuss student reaction to the interview and Mr. Rusesabagina’s actions. How would they describe his actions? How do they think they would react in a similar situation? What are some of the character traits of people who perform heroic acts? Make a list and use it to compare with other persons labeled ‘hero’ and look for commonalities.