The Rwanda Genocide that occurred in 1994 was one of the most recent large-scale genocides in the past 50 years. The Hutu vs. Tutsi tribal conflict that many of us recall was horrific on so many fronts. The sheer numbers of dead (between 800,000 to 1,000,000), the nature of the butchery and the destruction of the country’s infrastructure had a lasting impact on that small central African country. The killings started on April 6, 1994, triggered by the Hutu President’s plane being shot down and lasted for 100 days. Unfortunately, the world stage watched from afar during the killings. The Tutsi’s fought back and resulted in 1 Million Hutu refugees crashing across the Zaire (now D.R. Congo) border. There were four (4) refugee camps, of approximately 250,000 each. Three were outside of Goma, on the North side of Lake Kivu, and one large camp near Bukavu on the South side of Lake Kivu. I went in September, 1994 to help a team of volunteers with the NGO called World Relief, Inc., working with 175 unaccompanied or orphan Rwandan children with medical help and providing food and water. It was a challenging and difficult time due to the incredible enormity of the need, the mass of humanity, the sorrow, hopelessness, sickness, diseases and death we saw every day during our time there. Stories to put the enormity of the experience into perspective are shared, including from a veteran Doctor and experienced Nurse that had seen lots of rough stuff in their decades of service in the medical field in Central Africa. Dr. Tom Cairns and Ms. Thelma Landrud share of their experiences doing tough duty in difficult circumstances, offering their unique perspectives. Yet, there were times of joy and happiness even in the midst of it all. Everyone that went to the Refugee camps left emotionally exhausted and forever changed. I know I was. This is my story and my perspective of my time there, and the impact it had on me and those I shared my experiences with. A special thanks to Dr. Cairns and Ms. Landrud for their interviews to compliment this episode. And a big Thank You to Rick Selin, retired radio host, for reading the poem I wrote, trying to capture the entire Rwanda Genocide and Refugee Camp experience. I trust this episode and the message in the poem I wrote puts things in perspective about the horror of genocide, our humanity and how easily we can slip from civility into savagery.
Beka’s Story of Escape from Rwanda
Newspaper Article – OC Register
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Really incredible what people can do to others. Especially mothers and children. The movie “Hotel Rwanda” does a good job portraying this terrible genocide. Good job sharing your experience and not letting it be forgotten. Blessings in HIM!
I was struck by your attitude towards the French speaking soldier trying to extract money from your driver. That was “I’m from the hood and don’t mess with us”. These true stories reveal so much what has melded you into the man you’ve become.
I feel your poem would be more personal had you read it yourself, but it was impactful.
Good editing on this podcast. I can hear the improvements from earlier posts.
I’m crying as I listen to this podcast. You did a good job describing conditions for refugees and for workers. I concur with every emotion you described so well. I have a recording of a refugee camp choir from Mugunga camp. I cry every time I listen to it. Excellent and accurate podcast
Jeff, it was an real opener listening to your first hand experiences. Your poem sounded like something straight out of the mouths’ of the Old Testament prophets lamenting over the Israelites abandoning God and being decimated by the Assyrians and Babylonians. I enjoyed the sound effects.