Copyright © 2019 GM&A Publishing
Excerpts by permission of Publisher
PROFILE
Adolphe Rwamuhizi
Hutu rescuer
Close friend of Tharcisse
Initiator of survival project
Tutsi wife, Illuminée
Father of three young children
Lived in Mbazi village, 7.5 to 9 miles from Butare
Adolphe saw Tutsi being killed in his village, four being murdered right before his eyes. He knew full well the danger the Seminega family was in. On April 21, 1994, he mustered up the courage and made the nearly three-hour journey to the Seminega home. He came to look for their dead bodies because he wanted to give them a decent burial. Adolphe knocked on the door. He was so happy to find them alive and breathing.
In less than ten minutes Adolphe organized an escape plan for the family. He instructed them to not take any bulky luggage and to wear casual clothes. They divided up into two small groups.
Adolphe had a friend from work, Evariste, whom he trusted not to betray the Seminega family. So, he showed Tharcisse the path across the valley to the village of Save where Evariste lived.
Adolphe, Benjamin (age 7) and Naomi (age 11) started the journey to his home under the cover of darkness. Along the way, a soldier called out to him and threatened to shoot. Adolphe pretended the children were his. But the soldier, suspecting that they were Tharcisse’s children, asked why they were not listed on his identity card. He admitted that he was taking them to his home because his children loved them.
Amazingly, the soldier told them not to cross the bridge because Tutsi were being killed there, and instead he showed them a small path that cut across the valley. They came to a small river where Adolphe, like a tightrope walker, led the two children across a single wooden beam.
The children were familiar with the road to Adolphe’s. So, he told them to rush to his home, while he went to check on the rest of the Seminega family. He returned home that evening and told them the rest of their family was alive and in a secure place. That night Illuminée, Adolphe’s wife, had to flee for her safety from their home to a village where she was not known.
The next day Adolphe went back to the village of Save and rejoiced to find Tharcisse and the rest of the family safe in Justin’s home.
On April 23rd a Hutu woman, who had a Tutsi husband, came to ask Adolphe to help her find and bury her husband’s body. He left with her and was gone all afternoon. When he returned that evening, he rushed in and shouted to the children to hurry and get out of the house. The noise of the metal drums and barking dogs signaled that the killers were approaching. A neighbor had betrayed them, and militiamen arrived at his home to kill the small “cockroaches.” They searched for them, ate whatever food they could find, and left without accomplishing their mission.
Along with his brother, Adolphe went to find Naomi, Benjamin, and his children. They found them hiding in the bush and brought them back to his home.
The next day, the returning militiamen rushed into the house and searched everywhere. They found the children and took them outside. The men wanted Adolphe’s refrigerator, radio, money, and milking cow but he refused to bargain with them. One soldier attacked Naomi with a club; Adolphe kept her from falling. Then the soldier attacked Naomi with a machete and another solider stepped in to protect her. The militiamen counted all the people in the house. They stated that nobody should be missing the next day when they would return. That night Adolphe assessed the situation. Even though it was very dangerous to travel with the children because of the night watches, around midnight, Adolphe reunited Benjamin and Naomi with the rest of their family. That same night his wife was able to return home.
Indeed, Adolphe proved to be a faithful friend. His courageous actions helped the Seminega family begin their journey to survival.