Genocide finds its roots in hatred

Rwandan genocide survivor shares his story with Catholic students in Edmonton

Arthemon Rurangwa tells his story of survival during the Rwanda
genocide to 75 students at St. Thomas More Junior High in Edmonton.
Photo by Roman Gonzalez.

The B.C. Catholic has a story by Ramon Gonzalez about Arthemon Rurangwa, a surivivor of the Rwandan genocide:

Arthemon Rurangwa, a Rwandan Tutsi, had about 200 members of his immediate and extended family wiped out during the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

Neighbours or thugs that roamed the streets spreading death among the Tustsi killed his family with knives and machetes.

Rurangwa, who worked in a rental car company, escaped to neighbouring Burundi in the trunk of his boss’ car. His wife and two children managed to escape thanks to a friend who hid them.

In the late 1990s Rurangwa came to Canada with his family and now works as a public relations officer for Corrections Canada. He has been unable to go back to his home country for a visit for fear of reliving the horror.