Copyright © 2019 GM&A Publishing
Excerpts by permission of Publisher
PROFILE
Vincent Kabandana
Hutu rescuer
Father of three children
Militiaman
Hid the Seminega family for over a month
Vincent heard that his friend Justin was hiding a family of “cockroaches” at his house. Even though he did not know them, out of compassion, he secretly ran to warn Justin that the Interahamwe were coming to kill them.
Vincent suggested the family hide in the thicket on the hill behind Justin’s house. He knew the place very well because he used to hide his valuables there. He parted the branches and helped each of them settle into a safe spot. Then, in the middle of the night, Vincent returned to lead them out of the thicket to his property. He played a clever trick by bringing them dark raincoats similar to the ones the militiamen used. He made several trips, leading them in small groups across the fields to the goat shack behind his house.
Spies would watch for signs that a Hutu was hiding Tutsi. Because the goat shack sat near a crossroads close to a busy market, Vincent used different tactics to avoid detection. He would harvest vegetables from his fields and carry them to Justin’s house in a basket on his head. It looked like Vincent was bringing produce to a friend. But what he was really doing was adding food and necessities to the basket to bring back to the Seminegas.
Because the stagnant air in the shack caused the Seminegas to cough, Vincent taught them how to cough without making a sound. When the children had coughing fits due to asthma, he instructed his children to stand outside the shack and pretend to cough, disguising the sounds coming from inside.
Each night Vincent would remove and clean the plastic bucket that the seven family members used for a toilet. Some nights he would sleep on the mud floor of the shack to prevent anyone from entering by surprise.
Vincent would accompany the militiamen on night patrols to learn about their plans. He would break down in tears as he told Tharcisse about the horrible things he had seen. One day he learned there would be a house-to-house search for the Seminega family. Because he did not want them to panic, he decided not to share the terrifying news. Vincent knew that if the militiamen found the Seminegas in his goat shack he and his family would be killed for helping them. Even though he could have sent the family away, Vincent chose to let them stay in the shack where they seemed to be safe. He went into his house and waited for death, knowing his choice put the lives of both families at great risk.
Vincent protected and lovingly cared for the Seminega family for over a month until it became so dangerous they had to be moved. Even after the family left his shack, he loyally continued to support them. Weeks later, when it looked safe, Vincent went to where the Seminegas were hiding and suggested to Tharcisse that he write a letter to the RPF authorities. He courageously delivered the letter, knowing they could have shot him on the spot because he was a Hutu militiaman.
While the Seminega family was recovering at the survivors’ camp Vincent searched for information about their family members. He had the heartbreaking task of telling them the painful news of the slaughter of so many relatives and friends.
Vincent was one of the precious few whose courageous choices prove that love can conquer hate.