This Is Actually Happening

348: What if you survived the Burundian genocide?

19 snips
Feb 4, 2025
Guest
Gilbert Tuhabonye
In this captivating discussion, Gilbert Tuhabonye, a retired professional runner and philanthropist, shares his harrowing experience of surviving the Burundian genocide. He recounts the terrifying chaos and violence he faced, juxtaposed with memories of his tight-knit community. Gilbert highlights his incredible journey from being a target of ethnic cleansing to finding hope through forgiveness and sports. He also discusses the formation of the Gazelle Foundation, emphasizing resilience and the importance of giving back to rebuild a stronger community.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

A Rising Athlete

  • Gilbert's athletic talent, particularly in running, earned him recognition and respect within his community.
  • His success inspired him to dream of attending college in the United States.
ANECDOTE

The Night of the Genocide

  • On October 21, 1993, the assassination of Burundi's president ignited ethnic violence.
  • Gilbert's headmaster, a Hutu, targeted him, leading to a harrowing escape from school with other Tutsi students.
ANECDOTE

Death March

  • Gilbert and a group of students were captured, roped together, and marched to a gas station.
  • There, they witnessed horrific acts of violence before being forced into a building to be burned alive.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app