How Dare the Sun Rise

Chapters 1-4

Reading Check

1. The United Nations (Chapter 1)

2. Kirundi and Swahili (Chapter 1)

3. Hauts Plateaux (Chapter 2)

Short Answer

1. Sandra’s mother did not have a “love marriage,” but rather an arranged one. Sandra’s mother also had several miscarriages, but then went on to have six children. Sandra describes how having children is seen as an indicator of health and wealth, unless the children are all girls since girls are deemed “useless.” (Chapter 2)

2. Sandra’s father differs from other fathers of girls in Sandra’s tribe because he had ambitions for his daughter. He also wanted them to be educated. Most other fathers in Banyamulenge culture deemed their daughters to not be of value. (Chapter 4)

Chapters 5-8

Reading Check

1. A café (Chapter 5)

2. Rain/flooding (Chapter 6)

3. Her pale-blue dress (Chapter 7)

Short Answer

1. Because Sandra’s favorite uncle, Rumenge, had been killed during a regional conflict. His death plunges Sandra’s mother Rachel into depression. (Chapter 5)

2. They rely heavily on their faith to try and stay positive. They and other refugees awaken at 6:00am every morning to pray with a pastor. On Sundays, they go to church services. (Chapter 8)

Chapters 9-12

Reading Check

1. Her uncle Ezekiel (Chapter 9)

2. A sparkly red shirt for girls and a too-small pair of girls’ shorts (Chapter 10)

3. Forces Nationales de Libération (Chapter 10)

Short Answer

1. He keeps a list of things the family should pray for, which includes food, education, and work. As a family, they pray together as well. (Chapter 11)

2. One day, Ganza’s father (Sandra’s uncle) orders Ganza to go to the market. After she leaves, Ganza’s father attempts to rape Sandra. As a result, Sandra becomes distrustful of men. (Chapter 12)

Chapters 13-16

Reading Check

1. Kigali (Chapter 13)

2. Like being electrocuted (Chapter 14)

3. A church clothing drive (Chapter 15)

Short Answer

1. There is a great deal of bureaucracy with the program: Prudence attends the first two interviews by himself; after those, the entire family is invited back for another round of interviews, where they are asked a series of questions about the deaths in their family. Foreshadowing her experience living in America, Sandra observes how the UN interview treats them just like another statistic—they do not see her as entirely human. (Chapter 13)

2. They are in awe. They wonder how the cabin has electricity; they also wonder where their waste goes after they use the toilet. (Chapter 14)

Chapters 17-20

Reading Check

1. They pack clothing (Chapter 17)

2. He is hit by a van while riding his bike (Chapter 18)

3. Leah, Mackenzie, and Shantavia (Chapter 20)

Short Answer

1. Sandra worries about her hair, causing her to buy a cheap, synthetic wig that gives her rashes. Sandra also has a puzzled reaction to Barbie dolls, and the ideal of femininity that they represent, as well as to the ultra-thin women she sees on television. (Chapters 17-20)

2. This doctor is Kenyan and becomes a family friend. He helps them find a true community there in Rochester: He advises them on which markets offer African food, and he introduces them to other African families in the area. He also introduces Sandra to an African woman named Mariana, who helps Sandra braid her hair—a new style that Sandra finds much more comfortable than the wig. (Chapter 19)

Chapters 21-24

Reading Check

1. St. Louis (Chapter 23)

2. Oprah Winfrey (Chapter 24)

Short Answer

1. The clerk followed her and Leah around the store. Finally, the clerk told them that there was nothing in the shop for them—implying they should leave. Leah told Sandra that, because Sandra was Black, she likely thought Sandra was going to attempt to shoplift. (Chapter 21)

2. First, in their culture a young couple only dates if they are about to marry. Second, Rachel wants Sandra to marry someone from their tribe. (Chapter 22)

Chapters 25-28

Reading Check

1. The murder of Trayvon Martin (Chapter 25)

2. Sweet and serene (Chapter 27)

Short Answer

1. Sandra sees that the refugees there were resigned to life in the camp. She also notices that conditions have deteriorated in the camp; there are drug dealers attempting to sell refugees drugs. Sandra realizes that, if the massacre hadn’t happened, she might still be languishing in the refugee camp. (Chapter 26)

2. Sandra begins having vivid, frequent nightmares about the massacre. The flashbacks cause her great distress and make it difficult to concentrate on her studies. What’s more, in general, she feels hopeless and lethargic. (Chapter 28)

Chapters 29-32

Reading Check

1. Belgium (Chapter 29)

2. Her uncle Mutware (Chapter 31)

Short Answer

1. She thanks the president for helping resettle refugees from DRC. She wishes she could discuss the Syrian refugee situation and how fearmongering in the US was causing those refugees to be denied help and services. (Chapter 30)

2. Sandra’s mother deeply disapproves of the relationship; she wants Sandra to marry someone from within their tribe in the traditional way. Sandra, even though she is proud of her tribe’s culture and traditions, desires to choose her own romantic partner when the time comes. (Chapters 31-32)