Sonia Gisa Author & Model
“I ask myself, how did a little girl born in a small village in Rusenga in Rwanda get here?”
“When I was parading, I didn’t think of anything else, I was 100% concentrated in the present… It was the most glorious moment of my life, there was no more painful childhood, no more trauma attacks or nightmares. I was simply blessed. I never thought that such a feeling could exist, that such a feeling of gratitude for life could be possible.”
“How do you manage to display a perpetual smile and love life with everything you have gone through? I answer that I have even more reasons to smile. When you escape death you learn the value of each moment.”
“when you put your heart into it, no dream can resist, it comes true, sooner or later. The words I had read in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist some time before resounded in my mind: “When you want something, the whole Universe conspires to allow you to realize your desire”.
Read Sonia’s Remarkable story of escape from the massacre of Rwanda to become a top model
Courage, determination and an unwavering conviction of meaning and purpose have helped Sonia Gisa on her miraculous journey, escaping the brutal genocide in her birth country of Rwanda, where her father was murdered and she lost her mother and two sisters during the frantic fight to flee from the ruthless soldiers. Her story, told in Slaughter baby, is an inspiring testament to her spirit and belief, as she overcame the odds stacked against her to become a top model working across the world with global brands.
In 1994, three-year-old Sonia Gisa was forced to flee with her family from their humble home in the small village of Rusenga in Rwanda. Her father insisted in separating from the group to protect them knowing that it was mainly the men who were slaughtered – Sonia never saw him alive again. There followed two months of near starvation and sickness as she, her Mother, three sisters and baby brother too refuge in a local school. Her brother could not survive the deprivation and as the family fled once more to escape the militia, she lost both her mother and sisters in the melee – now she was alone and had to move in with her Aunt.
Sonia was haunted for many years by the experiences of her young life as were so many other innocent children, but she never lost her spirit or her determination to realise her dreams. With hard work, persistence and the support of family, she eventually escaped Rwanda and found her way to Belgium, where her journey towards her goals continued. There have been many sacrifices along the way, but Sonia has overcome the darkness of her past and every challenge put before her to become a top model, working for brands such as Cartier, Dolce & Gabanna, Gucci, Yves-saint-laurent, Moschino and Dior. She’s travelled the world, released the past and found peace.
Now, Sonia wants to tell her story to inspire others to find the strength within to follow their own dreams.
LA TRAITE NEGRIERE
Sonia’s summary of her readings on Slavery are available from Amazon in a French edition
Dans l’histoire de l’humanité on se souviendra toujours de ce fléau dont les traces restent visibles dans des nombreuses communautés contemporaines. Il s’agit de la traite négrière pratiquée entre le XVIe siècle et le XIXe siècle qui s’inscrit elle-même dans un système très vaste d’esclavage.
Translation:
In the history of mankind this scourge will always be remembered, the traces of which remain visible in many contemporary communities. This is the slave trade practiced between the sixteenth century and the nineteenth century which itself was part of a very broad system of slavery
Brutally harrowing and yet inspiring and uplifting, Sonia’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and evidence that anything is possible if you want to achieve it.
– The Story Sofaaa
Beautifully written, insightful and touching. I loved this book and felt privileged to witness such an extraordinary life and the experiences of one of the most horrific slaughter’s of our time. Written with such sensitivity yet objectivity
– Christina Blythe
This is a captivating book about the story of a little girl with a lot of dreams. It is heartbreaking, hopeful and fascinating
I am so moved by her inspiring life story. It motivated me to want to become a better person
