Rwandan Genocide: the Story of Brigitte Kitenge - part 1

Part 1. The testimony of Brigitte Kitenge, a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide which claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Tutsis in 1994, regarding her experience as a survivor of unspeakable human tragedy.




Brigitte Kitenge met her husband, Leon, when he left the Congo to teach at a Rwandan university. But the early 1990s was the wrong time to be in love with a young Rwandan woman who was half Hutu and half Tutsi.

When the genocide began, most of Brigitte's extended family was massacred. The couple's two daughters had to be told that their mother was dead so that they could not inadvertently reveal her whereabouts as she hid from the roving death squads.

Brigitte was pregnant with their third child when they escaped to the Congo, where Leon's family demanded that he put his wife and children aside and marry a Congolese woman. When he refused, they turned the couple away.

The Kitenges remained in Congo for a few years while Brigitte had her baby, obtained her masters in business administration and landed a job with a U.S. nonprofit organization. But soon Brigitte was in danger again. Congo was backing the Rwandan government's genocidal war, and Brigitte's contact with Americans made her a particular target.

Accused of being a U.S. spy, Brigitte was arrested and tortured by Congolese authorities. She was allowed just a few minutes each evening to breastfeed her third daughter at the prison. Eventually, Brigitte was released. Pregnant now with her fourth child, she fled to Uganda, crossing the border by pretending to be in labor while the driver told border authorities, "The hospital back there is closed! We have to get this woman to the hospital on your side!"

Brigitte made it to Uganda with nothing but the clothes on her back. Leon and her daughters joined her a short time later.

In this extended interview for youtube, Brigitte gives testimony and tells the full story of her experience and inspiring story of struggle and survival as well as the horrors she witnessed during one of the worst acts of genocide in recent human history.

For more information contact:

Dr. Brigitte Kitenge
African Global Mission
P.O.Box 1696
Antioch,TN 37011
www.africanglobalmission.org

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• documentary
• news
• grassroots
• outreach
• political
• brigitte
• kitenge
• rwanda
• genocide

[merchette14]

what a strong and brave woman, no one should have to endure what she had too. I want want to cry and scream and why did we allow this to go on, how could we just stand by and let these things happen, if the fight was over oil, the united States and England would formed a coalition and put a stop to the violence, but since it was just human lives, they just stood by and let it happen. I think we have a long way to go in order to redeem our selves.

[traser21]

I LOVE YOU! :D

[JesseWorld1000]

Genocide has occurred in all cultures. We should be not surprized by cruelity but we must enusre it never happens again!!!!!

[caliproducts1]

Requesting permission to use your video on our web stream television show Missionaries On The Battlefield. Please contact me at caliproducts1@yahoo.com if this is okay. please include name of video and link.

[Mo4Mir]

Jah Bless you. Very Strong...I would love to meet you..im working on getting my album started..and when i do I will come find you...

[1812vanes]

your such an inspiration......i love you so much and i can only pray to God to give you the strength and wisdom to heal your wounds...no 1 can understand exactly what your going through. my grandparents are survivors too...and i thank God for the rwanda we have now. God bless us,bless Rwanda and bless you.LOVE YOU!!

[shatara55]

"When Belgian (white) colonizers arrived in Rwanda, backed by the Catholic church, They divided Tutsi's and Hutu's according to physical appearance (tall & thin, Short & fat). Muslims among them were considered the lowest. They were forbidden to own land and denied basic education. Classic divide and conquer."

[shatara55]

"How can people wake up one morning and begin killing people?"

Because white people, just as they did hundreds of years ago, cause divisions among Africans with their lies. This is how they conquered in Africa and stole its resources from the people. They have parents deserting their children, brother hateing brother... It's complex, but this is just to sum it all up.

[suirvale]

i always feel outsiders do not know very much to comment on african politics, jsut lie africans do not know enough to comment on eurpean or usa politics or chinese politics for that matter.but i have worked in many countries and the failure for the press to educate and give us full background knowledge of the worlds problems is an absolute scandal. we only get celebrity or latest fashions or cheap holidays in our new papers.we got to start caring,,.

[Davidonyoutub]

My dear sister, GOD is your peace and refuge. Iam from DR Congo, I sympatize with you, we have to stop all these type of hatred in the world. You are a brave women. All those who committed genocide must be brought to Justice. GOD will help us, lets forgive those who have offended against us. Take care my dear sister.