Homeland Series - Gatumba

When my great grandparents left Ireland in the late 1800's, they came to the United States for the same reasons most people did- opportunity and a better life. While it's been well over 100 years since the Carrolls and the Kinneys made their way across the pond, immigrants are still making their way to America for the same reasons and many more. Take members of the Banyamulenge tribe from the Democratic Republic of Congo for example. America not only offered them opportunity, America offered them refuge.

In the late 90's, a war broke out in Congo killing millions of innocent people and displacing an entire culture. Many surviving Banyamulenge found their way to refugee camps in neighboring countries. One of those was in Burundi, Africa called Gatumba.

On August 13, 2004, 166 Banyamulenge at Gatumba were mercilessly massacred during the night. Since then, more than 500 Gatumaba survivors have made their home in the United States seeking opportunity and a better life.

Each year, on the anniversary of the massacre, they gather together to remember those they lost and celebrate their culture. This year, they traveled to St. Louis and we documented the event for the Homeland series. Here's a short preview explaining why this weekend is so important to them.

Produced and edited by Anne-Marie Berger


This video is part of KETC's Homeland project, a year long look at the complicated issue of immigration in America. Visit us at http://www.explorehomeland.org

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Homeland
• KETC
• Series
• Immigration
• Congo
• Nine Network
• 9 Network
• Anne-Marie Berger
• Africa

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HEY, NA CHANTAL WA ROCK ISLAND

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mbonye: UZOMUKUNDA,JEANTILLE, NYAMUKESHA,FILLE,UMUGORE WA BAGAZA, NA NTUZE