1994 Rwandan genocide testimony by Gaston Rugema

Gaston Rugema, a boy from Cellule Buhigiro, Kimegeri Sector of Commune Mukingi in Gitarama Prefecture, describes the effects the 1994 Rwandan Genocide on Rwandan society. He also describes what he saw during the genocide and how he survived both before and after he reached Kabgayi. Gaston's family was visiting Nyamata when the genocide began, and they were killed in a church there on April 7, 1994. His home commune was first attacked on April 24, 1994, and some perpetrators paid civilians 200FRW to destroy Tutsi homes. Gaston hid in a Hutu neighbor's home, a banana farm, and in the forest. While fleeing to Byimana, he was arrested, beaten, and clubbed on the head, and his hand was broken. Gaston fled to many different locations during the genocide, including Nyakabuye and Kabgayi, where many refugees died of cholera or malaria. He was saved by RPF Inkotanyi on June 2, 1994, and taken to Bugesera.