Friedrich Nietzsche is not usually my favorite philosopher, but he was right when he said, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” These survivors are different in many ways, but they share two things:
- They miraculously escaped death by the machete in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
- They not only survived but went on to thrive, turning a dark past into a brighter future. Here are my top five survivors on the move:
- Abdul Salam Nizeyimana
A toddler in 1994, Nizeyimana was left for dead after a nearly fatal machete blow to the head. He carries visible and invisible scars, but the 27-year-old rose above his injuries. Today he gives back to his community, including those who slaughtered his family. His job is unique: Nizeyimana is a drone operator, working for Zipline International, one of the world’s first drone delivery services. He heads up a team of professionals in Rwanda who launch and retrieve autonomous drones that deliver blood to remote hospitals. Click here to watch his video operating drones in Rwanda and learn more about his story.
- Nadja Giramata
Nadja Giramata (born Nadia Giramata) is a genocide survivor who rose from the ashes to become one of the most successful international models of African descent. Born in Gisenyi, she was three years old when the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi broke out. She survived. But her mother, her brother and many of her relatives did not. Today, Giramata is a big name in modeling, working with leading agencies in Europe and the United States. Recently, Giramata appeared on the front covers of prestigious fashion magazines including Forbes, Impression and many more. Click here to learn more about Nadja Giramata.
3. Hervé Berville
Hervé Berville, 27, is a naturalized French politician who survived the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi when he was only three years old. He was adopted by a French couple soon after the genocide. His name made headlines around the world last year when he was elected to the French National Assembly on June 18, 2017, winning 64 percent of the vote and easily beating his conservative rival. Berville is a rising star in French politics and an inspiration to other survivors. Click here to learn more about Hervé Berville
4. Dydine Umunyana
Dydine Umunyana is another promising survivor on the move, and perhaps the youngest to publish a memoir: “Embracing Survival” (Umbrella Press, 2016). Today, Umunyana is a motivational speaker based in California. Umunyana has recently spoken at Google and several universities in the United States. At age four, Umunyana survived the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. Click here to learn more about Umunyana’s work
5. Eric Murangwa Eugene
Eric Murangwa Eugene is a familiar name to Rwandans. He was a famous soccer player in Rwanda in the 1990s. He made headlines in March when the Prince of Wales made him a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), an honor given in the United Kingdom for outstanding service to the community. After surviving the genocide, Murangwa founded Football for Hope, Peace and Unity (FHPU), which uses soccer to promote peace and unity. The story of how Murangwa survived the genocide against the Tutsi was featured in the Guardian and other major outlets in the UK. Click here to learn more about Eric Murangwa Eugene and his work.
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By Albert Gasake
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