A Young Girl Builds a New Life After Surviving a Triangle of Wars & Genocide E-Book

Jeanne K. Senga

• Herausgeber: Spines
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

Jeanne Kenyana Senga is an amazing, living example of what one woman can accomplish, even under incredibly difficult physical and emotional circumstances, including suffering the loss of many loved ones, and witnessing first-hand the atrocities committed during multiple wars in Africa. During the Rwandan civil war/genocide, Jeanne herself was on a "hit list" by name, and was hunted down by armed assassins who wanted to kill her simply because of her ethnicity. Later, she managed to get to the U.S. and ultimately succeeded in getting the rest of her immediate family to the U.S. as well--the first of many accomplishments in her new country. Since most of their assets were destroyed or stolen during the war, Jeanne and her family began life in the U.S. with very virtually no financial resources. However, the assets that Jeanne did have proved to be far more important: an unwavering faith in God and in herself, courage, tenacity, optimism, help from friends she made along the way, and a willingness to work tirelessly to reach her goals. For example, she became a U.S. citizen, studied to become a licensed registered nurse (RN), and passed the nursing exam in English (a language which she learned, for the most part, after coming to the U.S.). In addition, Jeanne watched her children grow up here in safety and complete their education, she became the owner of a brand new home, and she wrote this book! Jeanne worked courageously on the front lines as a nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic, and currently works as a traveling nurse. Her life story proves that even in the face of great difficulties and emotional scars, one can still make a new and beautiful life--even when starting over from virtually nothing. It is Jeanne's hope (and mine) that her story will inspire others, including those who have endured extreme hardships, by showing that with hard work, perseverance, and faith in God and one's self, almost anything is possible.

Leseprobe

A Young Girl Builds a New Life After Surviving a Triangle of Wars & Genocide

A Young Girl Builds a New Life After Surviving a Triangle of Wars & Genocide

Jeanne K Senga

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2024 by Jeanne K Senga

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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Published by - Spines

ISBN: 979-8-89383-325-6

A Young Girl Builds a New Life After Surviving a Triangle of Wars & Genocide

From the Ashes - Rising Beyond Hate and Devastation

Jeanne K Senga

Contents

Acknowledgment

About the Author

Preface

Introduction

1. The Calvary Steps

2. Fleeing to Tanzania

3. Fleeing to Uganda

4. Back to Rwanda

5. Getting Back

6. Teaching Took Over Business

7. Path to Marriage

8. Becoming My Own Boss, “Jeanne’s Clinic”

9. War Begins in 1990

10. The Rwandan Genocide

11. Escape

12. Hiding in the Bushes

13. Hunted

14. Hunting Continued

15. Help Arrived

16. Two Months in a Storage Room

17. Surviving

18. Byumba Orphanage

19. Family Reunion

20. United States of America

21. Life in America

22. Nursing Home: My Conclusion

Endnotes

This book is dedicated to:

My parents Sylvester Gataza and Veridiana Mukarukina,

My cousin, Father Gerard Karuranga,

and the Laurent Nsengiyumva Family.

Acknowledgment

“A Young Girl Builds a New Life After Surviving a Triangle of Wars & Genocide” is born from the crucible of war and the enduring spirit of a survivor. It is dedicated, first and foremost, to Emmanuel Senga, my beloved husband and companion of 36 years, for his steadfast courage and support. To my children, Didier M Senga and Anaise N Senga, and my grandson, Gisa Senga, I offer this testament to our shared history and the strength of family bonds.

Within these pages lies a chronicle of survival amidst unimaginable suffering.

To the Laurent Nsengiyumva Family, whose lives were brutally cut short by the Rwandan Patriotic Army in 1994, I dedicate this book in gratitude, for the two months of refuge they provided me, during the darkest days. My deepest appreciation goes out to the Rwabuhungu Family, whose wife risked her own safety to offer me shelter and hope.

At the end of this book, I have a debt to recognize the people who helped me in one way or another from the day I was born. Some are still remembering; others do not.

I pay tribute to:

- My parents, Sylvester Gataza and Veridiana Mukarukina, who protected me from the first day of my life.

- My husband, Emmanuel S Senga, my son, Didier M Senga, my daughter, Anaise N Senga, and my grandson, Gisa Senga, for being my nuclear family.

- My brother, Holomisdas Ndahumbira, and his family, all of whom met a tragic end during the 1994 genocide.

- My other brothers, Faustin Mugenzi, Peter Byavu, Paul Buhura, and Claver Bizimana, as well as my elder sisters, Bernadette Mukanyangezi and Virginie Kabihogo, and the entire extended family who have shared the weight of our history.

- The Rwabuhungu Family, whose selfless act of sheltering me during perilous times will forever be etched in my heart.

- The Laurent Nsengiyumva Family, who tragically lost their lives at the hands of the Rwandan Patriotic Army in May 1994, after offering me sanctuary for two months.

- Jonathan Smith and Connie Carlson, for their concern for me and my family since we arrived in the United States of America.

- A special tribute to my American friends, who opened their homes to me and offered valuable advice: Jennifer Snyder, Reginald, Betty Zung and Family, Steve Cohn, Judy Birchfield, Carol Wong, and many others.

May this book be our alliance forever.

About the Author

I am Jeanne K. Senga, born on May 3rd, 1958, in Gikaya, Kayonza Commune, Kibungo Prefecture in Rwanda. My parents, Verdiana Mukarukina and Sylvester Gataza brought me into this world. I am married to Emmanuel Senga, a mother of two and a proud grandmother of one.

I embarked on a journey as a Nurse Midwife in Africa, a path that led me through Nursing School in Uganda and Tanzania. Today, I proudly serve as a Registered Nurse in the United States of America, a country I'm honored to call home.

The story of my life has only just begun, with more chapters waiting to be written.

Preface

In the face of immeasurable adversity, this book stands as a testament to resilience and the enduring human spirit. I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all those who have been part of my life's journey.

I am grateful for the invaluable support and guidance provided by friends such as Drs. Connie and Jonathan Smith, who stood by me during my time in America. Their unwavering friendship and support have been a source of strength and solace.

To my cousin and confidant, Reverend Gerard Karuranga, Catholic Priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, your unwavering faith and counsel have been a guiding force in my life.

This book is not just a personal memoir but a tribute to the indomitable spirit of all those who have faced the harsh realities of conflict. It is an attempt to give voice to the silenced and a plea for remembrance.

I invite you to bear witness to the truth of my story, to acknowledge the profound impact of conflict on individuals and families, and to join me in celebrating the resilience and enduring love that unite us even in the darkest of times.

Introduction

The Land of Thousand Hills- Rwanda

Rwanda, my heart and my love, my birthplace, is a

landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley with stunning

and aesthetically pleasing scenery and lakes. Moreover, the

traditional, warm-hearted, and welcoming people make life

easier.

The African Great Lakes accommodate a large

number of ethnic groups, including Tutsi, Hutu, and Twa,

living mainly in Burundi and Rwanda. The African Great

Lake Region, so-called because of large lakes, such Kivu,

between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda;

Tanganyika, between Burundi, Tanzania, and DRC; and any others between Uganda and DRC; Lake Victoria, between Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya; and many others.

The Tutsi or Abatutsi is the second largest ethnic group after the Hutus. I was born to a typical African rural Catholic household, Verediana Mukarukina and Sylvester Gataza, in Gikaya, Kayonza Sector Kibungo Prefecture, Rwanda. Our conditions were very prosperous, and we lived in peace and harmony. My parents owned a herd of cattle and had a big banana plantation.

After the living conditions in Rwanda, my parents fled the country when I was only three years old. We settled in Kyaka, close to the River Kagera, in 1961. Our household was strictly religious since my parents were Catholics, and they taught the same teachings to us.

We were brought up in a house where we were always bestowed with love and care. My father always tried his best to make both ends meet. He worked as a farmer at a nearby farm. We would watch him leave early in the mornings and come back after sunset, drenched in sweat and with cuts on his face and palms.

But he always wore a huge and bright smile on his face. He constantly emphasized the need for hard work but never disclosed how much suffering he endured. My father's restricted possibilities prevented him from attending school, yet he never stopped advocating for our education. He wanted us to dream big and explore every opportunity available to us.

Unfortunately, most of my siblings couldn’t get into college because of the withering political circumstances, so my brothers and I were busy helping our father work on our farm.

Our father always explained to us that there wasn’t any shortcut to success and that we needed to work hard to fulfill our dreams. My parents taught us not to be unjust in any situation whatsoever. He is my role model and someone I look up to in every inconvenience.

My earlier years were joyous and happy. The time I spent with my family and siblings by my side were the only memories I held on to. The rest are just a blur. Some are just too traumatizing for me even to recall.

As a child, I was a very adventurous and hearty kid. I was very outgoing and an all-rounder. I managed to study and play both. Tanzania has plenty of mountains and trees, so I would sometimes wander off to the hills with my friends or siblings. Those hills and mountain ranges can be easily climbed and explored.

The mountains are full of trees, flowers, and grass. The sight they present in the evenings is a wonder: birds chirping and flying over to their nests, animals hurrying back to their lairs, and the sun setting brilliantly below the horizon after changing the entire color of the plains and the field from green to pale yellow.

Often, I gathered the flowers from the ground to take them home and plucked the fresh ones to make garlands for my mother, something she loved. Then, my friends and I grazed the cows, chased after the animals, and played with them all day long. My mother sometimes used to yell at me because we would lose track of time and then hurry back.

I loved watching the sunset, so I usually went to the highest hill in our area and lay down to watch the view. Even today, when I observe the sunset keenly, it reminds me of all those moments and memories engraved in my head.

My friends and I occasionally went to the river to catch fish and grill them up. My mother cooked well and made delicious bananas and groundnut soup, the main food of local citizens. We would also collect firewood and flowers and plant some around our house, which was later thatched by grasses from top to bottom; my brothers and I used to call it full suit. We would also capture fireflies and mourn when they would die.

Sometimes, I wish I could turn back time and live the same old carefree life I once had, when there was no tension, remorse, accountability, or pressure. Even today, when I visit my village, I explore the places where I spent time during my childhood, and I can’t contain my tears. That place will forever be in my heart, and nothing can bring me as much happiness and peace.

I returned to Rwanda at twenty-six to replace a Canadian nun at Rwesero Community Healthcare.

Chapter1

The Calvary Steps

One fine morning, as usual, my father woke up in the morning and headed for his farm. My siblings were asleep, and I was home, too little to assist my father. That day, my brother and I didn’t assist him. When he reached the farm, he was traumatized by witnessing the scene.

He was shocked to see his cows bleeding. Some were injured, others were brutally slaughtered, and his banana trees were cut and laid on the ground. He couldn’t figure out what had happened and frantically left the scene, heading for our house. But, before he returned to the house to inform my mother what had happened and to check up on us, he saw a group of people carrying traditional weapons.

They caught my father and started beating him viciously. They punched him continuously, breaking his nose and two upper front teeth. He never returned home.

He was taken to the government offices five miles from the house. Amidst all the chaos, news broke out that Hutu men were madly going on a killing spree.

Some of the killers barged into our house early in the morning and broke everything and anything they could see. Within a few minutes, they turned the whole house upside down. My mother didn’t know what to do. When she tried to stop them, the vile animals didn’t hesitate to hit her.

One of them held her hand, and she was beaten up relentlessly and led away from home. She signaled my siblings to run away, and after witnessing the distressing scene, my siblings escaped through the backdoor and sought refuge at our Hutu neighbors’ house for safety. 

My mother was ordered to leave the house immediately, or she would be killed; she had no other option but to surrender to their command. She didn’t even get the opportunity or time to wake me up, who was still in bed.

My siblings had already run for safety, and my mother was led away by the raiders. I was the only one left behind, and she kept yelling and pleading with them to let me go, but they turned her away. She was devastated.

Thankfully, the killers didn’t harm me, but I was led out of the house and threatened never to show my face to them again. I was crying endlessly, and then the men took me to a neighbor who was Hutu. Mother spent the day in the bush, and at night, she went to the Rwamagana Catholic Church, where she found my siblings. Later, my father joined them there. It was the start of the Hutu Revolution in my region.

The Hutu Revolution, known as The Rwandan Revolution, was a period of violence and ethnic “cleansing” in Rwanda from 1959 to 1961. This revolution aggravated disputes among the people of two main ethnic groups in Rwanda, the Hutus and Tutsis. 

The Tutsi Monarchy had been ruling Rwanda since the 15th century. During this rule, the policies were all pro-Tutsi and anti-Hutu. 

This resulted in unrest that did not just evict the Tutsis from their homes; Germany and Belgium progressively and alternatively controlled Rwanda through the mid-twentieth century, with both European countries administering through the kings and propagating a political environment supportive of the Tutsi strategy.

In the beginning of 1954, a Hutu counter-elite group emerged, prompting the crumbling of relations between the two groups. 

The Hutu alert required the exchange of force from Tutsi to Hutu (a position progressively upheld by the Roman Catholic Church and the colonial regime).

The turmoil started with AllSaints of November 1st, 1959, when a Hutu Sub acting Chief was beaten by a young batutsi when he came back from a visit to his daughter, a young teenager, Claire Mukamugema, attending the Boarding School of Byimana in Gitarama.

That man was Dominique Mbonyumutwa, and that beating spread through the whole country and was considered the start of the Hutu Revolution. He became the 1st interim President of Rwanda in 1961.

This further exacerbated the condition, and chaos immediately spread throughout the country. The rulers and Tutsi lawmakers endeavored a counter-attack to get away from the Hutus and the Belgians but were impeded by Belgian Colonel Guy Logiest. 

Colonel Guy Logiest restored peace, law, and order by starting a program to advance and secure the Hutu elite. At that point, the Belgians usurped numerous Tutsi chiefs with the Hutu, relegating King Kigeli V, who later fled the country. 

Regardless of the hostility toward the Tutsi, Belgium coordinated elections in the mid-1960s. The Hutu overcame practically everywhere, successfully finishing the insurgency. Hutus Elites continued to claim the abolition of injustice generated by a long term of kingdoms. Colonel Logiest helped a Hutu pioneer, Gregoire Kayibanda, with his supporters, to proclaim the abolition of Monarchy in 1961, later an independent Republic in 1962, the 1st of July.

This revolution came at a hefty cost and caused the displacement of around 336,000 Tutsi, who fled to settle in adjoining nations, where they resided as evicted people. These exiled armed rebel groups are known as the Inyenzi, which means “Ingangurarugo Ziyemeje kuba Ingenzi,” a term referring to both 'cockroach' and 'determined fighters' in Kinyarwanda. This linguistic duality contributed to misunderstanding, depending on who used the name. They dispatched different assaults into Rwanda; the largest occurred in late 1963 when an unexpected assault moved toward Kigali. The government fought back, overcoming the dissidents and killing many leftover Tutsis in Rwanda. ⁠1 ⁠2