Copyright © 2019 GM&A Publishing
Excerpts by permission of Publisher
PROFILE
Jean-Damascène
No one knew the Seminega family was being hidden in Vincent’s goat shack except for those involved in the plan. When it was decided that the family should be moved to the underground room, Justin revealed to Jean-Damascène the family’s hiding place and their plan. He was excited to know they were alive and was eager to do whatever he could to help them. He knew the area well and it was decided that he was the best one to guide the family to their new hiding place in Jean de Dieu’s underground room. He was acutely aware of the risks involved and he was not confident that they would succeed. In spite of this, he prayed and found the courage to take on this life-threatening assignment.
Jean-Damascène was put in charge of watching the weather for indications of rain, which would provide cover as the family was transferred. After several days a steady rain started in the evening. Risking suspicion from neighbors, he went to the goat shack to inform Tharcisse that they would be moving.
Once again the family divided into small groups. Only Tharcisse and his two oldest children would make the journey to the underground room that evening. The others would go to temporary hiding places in the village of Save. After ensuring they were covered in black, Jean-Damascène took off his shirt and wrapped it in a plastic bag. He would travel bare-chested to avoid detection.
The approximately four-mile journey from the goat shack to their new hiding place was exhausting. The darkness and heavy rain proved to be an ally. The militia guarding the roadblocks went to find shelter, so Jean-Damascène was able to pass by invisibly with those in his care. The difficulty of his mission was compounded by the fact that the family had been confined to the shack, having had no exercise for a month. In addition, they were barefoot and had to walk over slippery rocks. Cautiously and patiently, he led Tharcisse, Marie, and Pierre through thick bushes and thorns to where Jean de Dieu was waiting for them.
Several days later Jean-Damascène led Chantal, with her youngest son Benjamin on her back, from the village of Save back to his home. They were stopped along the way and questioned. When he was accused of trying to help Chantal escape, he told the man that she was his sister-in-law. This was a trick he thought might work as the killers were more sympathetic to Tutsi women with Hutu husbands. He could tell the man was not convinced so Jean-Damascène took him aside and, after giving him some money, asked him not to betray them.
Jean-Damascène and Mathilda generously shared their small food supply with them, which meant their daily meal was often only a half cup of porridge. Mathilda had lost her mother and all her brothers and sisters in the genocide. Although she was pregnant, she unselfishly shared her portion of food with Benjamin during the two weeks he hid in her home.
Shortly afterward, Jean-Damascène and his friends were forced to flee their homes as well. They decided to stay close to those whose lives they were guarding in the underground room. Jean-Damascène continued to follow the news on the radio and make secret visits to the family. When the RPF had taken control of the area, he came to tell Tharcisse. He learned that a note had already been delivered to the RPF. Minutes after leaving Jean de Dieu’s house the RPF soldiers arrived there to escort the survivors to a camp in Shyanda. Overjoyed, Jean-Damascène rejoined his family and returned to his home.