Copyright © 2019 GM&A Publishing
Excerpts by permission of Publisher
PROFILE
Justin Rwagatore
Hutu rescuer
Wife, Meggy
Close friend of Tharcisse
Mastermind of the Seminega survival plan
On the evening of April 21, 1994, Justin rejoiced to learn that the Seminega family had escaped the killers and was safe at Evariste’s home. He went to where they were hiding, and they immediately set off to make the dangerous two-mile journey back to Justin’s house.
At a roadblock, Tharcisse was recognized by a group of Hutu militiamen that Justin knew well. They asked for Tharcisse’s identity card and threatened him with a machete to his throat. Justin calmly pleaded for his friend’s life. After the watchman was paid a cash gift, Tharcisse was finally released, and they reached Justin’s home unharmed.
The next day, Justin was informed by Vincent that the Interahamwe knew he was hiding “cockroaches” and they were on their way to his house. They quickly hid the family in the thicket behind Justin’s home. Justin found ways to encourage the Seminega family to be patient by shouting out comforting words in the direction of the thicket.
That evening, the militia burst into Justin’s house looking for the Seminega family. They demanded to know where they were. Justin could have been killed on the spot for hiding Tutsi, but he revealed nothing. He could no longer hide his friends because his house was being watched.
Even after the family was hidden elsewhere, Justin continued to loyally support them and provide for their needs. Providing food and medicine to the family was extremely difficult. There were food shortages, and all activity was controlled. Justin lost sleep thinking about how to avoid suspicion.
During the month that the family was hiding in Vincent’s goat shack, Justin went every single day to encourage him. He would do favors for Vincent to calm his nerves and give him money to go out with friends. When they had to leave the goat shack, Justin agonized for two days about how to safely move the family to a new hiding place. He masterfully organized the dangerous transfer of each family member to the underground room.
At the beginning of the survival plan Justin had no way of knowing how long this situation would last. Still, he unselfishly supported the Seminega family every day until their rescue.