Jean Paul Samputu

Jean Paul Samputu is a Rwandan musician who lost almost his entire family in the genocide in 1994 and who now campaigns for reconciliation and forgiveness. Samputu sings in six languages and uses a variety of musical styles in his work.

After the genocide and murder of his family by a man he regarded as his best friend, Jean Paul fell into a spiral of drink and drug abuse and was unable to perform music for several years.

In 2004 Samputu released Testimony from Rwanda, which is available to purchase from major online retailers, which reflects his experiences of the genocide and his hopes for the future. Samputu is now a cultural ambassador for Rwanda and travels throughout the world teaching about and performing traditional African music and also spreading his message of peace and forgiveness.

In 2009 he was nominated for World Vision International’s Peace Prize.

You can find out more about Jean Paul Samputu and his forgiveness campaign at www.samputufc.org/aboutjps