Copyright © 2019 GM&A Publishing
Excerpts by permission of Publisher
PROFILE
Jean de Dieu Sibomana
Hutu rescuer
Single man
Good friend of Tharcisse
Hid Seminega family in his underground room
As the fighting came closer and closer to where the Seminega family was hiding in the goat shack, the rescue team knew the family had to be moved in order to keep them safe. Jean de Dieu had an underground room for hiding valuables. When he was informed that the Seminegas were still alive, he readily volunteered his room for the more important purpose of saving precious lives.
The seven members of the family separated into small groups to make the four-mile journey. Jean de Dieu met the first group in the rain halfway and brought them to his home. Tharcisse, Marie, and Pierre arrived first and discovered that Jean de Dieu was already hiding three other Tutsi in his underground room. Naomi and Joel arrived the following day; Chantal and Benjamin finally arrived two weeks later.
During the five weeks that Jean de Dieu hid these “valuables,” he lovingly worked to protect and provide for them. As a single man, buying and preparing larger quantities of food would alert Hutu spies that he was hiding Tutsi. He had to limit cooking to once a day. He also needed to find a way to get more water for ten people from the local fountain without creating suspicion. So, he planted a pineapple and vegetable garden in his backyard to justify that he was drawing more water for his garden. He interspersed it with beehives to keep the soldiers at bay.
When the RPF took control of the area, Vincent came to inform Jean de Dieu. He did not trust him and turned Vincent away. The next day, July 5, 1994, Vincent returned, and Jean de Dieu allowed him to speak with Tharcisse. A note was taken to the RPF and a group of 20 soldiers arrived to rescue the survivors.
Jean de Dieu felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders when he knew his “valuables” were finally safe. He opened the door for the soldiers and the five Seminega children came out one by one. Suddenly, he closed the door, locked it, and ran off with the key. The soldiers thought it might be an ambush. When they caught up with Jean de Dieu he explained that he panicked. He was terrified at what could happen to him because Hutu in the area would now know he had hidden ten “cockroaches.” After being assured he would be protected, he returned and unlocked the door. To the disbelief of the soldiers, the five adults came up out of the “grave.”
Jean de Dieu and 50 members of his family went with the survivors to the camp in Shyanda for protection.