French-Rwandan singer and novel writer, Gaël Faye, last week visited Green Hills Academy and shared his writing experience with students.

He used the opportunity to shed light on his novel, ‘Petit Pays’, a book that tells a story of a young boy Gabriel that was born in Rwanda from a French father and Rwandan mother. The boy grew in Burundi after fleeing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The boy lost his family and friends during the Genocide. He only survived with her mother whom he still live together in Bujumbura. According to the writer, the story reflects the boy’s experiences then.

The writer grew up in Burundi and says that he picked the idea of the story from the insights he knows about the history of two countries – Rwanda and Burundi.

Faye was pleased to meet Green Hills Academy students and said that it was a pleasure to meet young learners who are interested in reading literature.

"Students have been reading the book and of course enjoyed it. It is good for them to meet the writer and learn from him,” he said.

"Students can learn from me about writing and also get the inspiration to do the same. I also believe that in literature you can express various points of view.” Students’ appreciate

‘Petit Pays’ was published in August this year and three months after its publication, Green Hills Academy literature students are among its first readers who were blessed to get insights by the writer.

"Everything was interesting in this book. I liked the description of the life of the child and I am able to appreciate how things played out back in the day. The book evokes a lot of emotions as one is able to relate with what was happening then,” said Levina Stenbock, a student, adding that from the book she learnt to follow what the heart tells her.

Another student, Blisse Ngarambe, learnt that no matter what is happening around you, there is always ways in which you can change for the best.

"This is one of the most interesting books I have read so far because the author gives the place for imagination to the readers, this makes you think about things happening in your life. Reading the book and meeting the author is such an extra chance we experienced” Ngarambe said.

According to Faye, the book will be translated into Kinyarwanda and in English by 2018.