Reconciliation in Rwanda - Stories of Rescue

The genocide started when we were staying in Gikondo but at that time we were not with our father because he was a builder and he was doing construction work somewhere in Ruhengeri. The time came when we realized that we couldn’t stay at home because killings had started so we then took refuge with our neighbor (a Congolese) who tried to hide us for several days. The Interahamwe came to the Congolese family to kill us simply because they had known that we had been hiding with that family. What happened is that my mother gave them money so that they would agree not to kill us but this couldn’t work for very long time simply because my mother had no more money to give them.
   As the killings of Tutsis was being done in all parts of the country the militia came and ordered the Congolese to get out of the house and search for the cockroaches meaning us, the Tutsis; but the Congolese man refused and said we have no Tutsis in our house and on that day they went away. Of course the situation was humiliating but we had no where to go but my mother still had only twenty thousand francs which was good enough, so when they came for the second time that money was given to them and again they disappeared.
After a long period of time when the R.P.F was on the verge of taking power in the area our father came from Ruhengeri up to Gikondo. When he arrived, he ordered us to go to our house and leave the Congolese house where we had stayed for a long time. The Congolese man who had protected us vehemently refused to let us go but our father and mother insisted. They said they appreciated the care and love he had showed us in that time.
   When we reached home then the militia came and demanded national identity cards from my mother and father as well. Immediately they were slaughtered with pangs but for me I had tried to hide myself outside the house while some of my sisters and brothers were asleep and they didn’t know what happened not until the militia entered and then started to slaughter them one by one, saying that if they were to live they will grow and fight us. My older brother tried to escape he was shot and died. Although my sister and brother were slaughtered all over their bodies they didn’t die, so I went again to the Congolese family to inform them what had happened to my family, so they came along with me and tried to help. They carried my sister and brother back and they tried to care for them. Later they did recover.

   We stayed there with the Congolese family until the Rwanda patriotic front (R.P.F) took over power and I appreciate almighty God that these Congolese are still alive and also pray to God so that once I became rich I can try to repay them in appreciation for the love and care they showed us during that terrible situation.

                        Gacaca Courts.
   I always testify in Gacaca simply because I know what happened and I remember having testified about one man who used to pass by our home informing us how we were on the list of the people who were supposed to be killed. While testifying he insisted saying that I was deceiving due to the fact that I was still young and that what I was speaking was nonsense but enough good people knew him very well as the man who initiated the massacre of Tutsis in the area and he was imprisoned because he was found guilty.
   I think that Gacaca is very good and I thank the people in our government who thought of this idea simply because we managed to know where our parents were thrown in the outdoor toilets and in different places. When I testify some people try to intimidate me and tell me that I will be killed but I always tell them that the Lord rescued me during the terrible situation and he will again but I also try to inform the officials about the threats so that they may protect us.
   
                        Reconciliation
   It depends upon one’s heart simply because there are some Hutu who up to now say that they did the genocide but their target was not reached because for them they wanted to kill all Tutsis. That’s why some Tutsis are witnessing what we did in Gacaca and some say that they will kill us again. Some witnesses were killed. But very slowly reconciliation will be reached, although at first we didn’t expect to stay with those who killed our relatives, but at least our government has tried to do all it can to make sure we stay together. I often visit the Congolese man and up to now we are all good friends and we try to share everything.