Going Home to Burundi When Tuhabonye travelled home to Burundi for the first time in more than a decade, the country was a much more peaceful place. Although there are still well-documented tensions between various political parties, the country continues to head away from the seemingly endless years of civil war and more toward fulfilling the peace accord signed in 2008. In 2011, Tuhabonye became an American citizen after more than 15 years of living in the country, which he said was a "dream come true." With citizenship comes civic duty, and November will mark the first time in his life Tuhabonye has ever voted in a national election for any country. Eighteen months ago, his long-time friend Governor Rick Perry appointed him to the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission. As the only African genocide survivor on the committee, he provides an example of the power of forgiveness and the strength necessary to move forward after unspeakable atrocity. Tuhabonye won’t make any predictions about what his future might hold. “How do you eat an elephant?” he asked and then answered, “One bite at a time. You can only live life one day at a time.” It’s safe to predict Tuhabonye’s future is full of joy and, if you’re in Austin and lucky enough to catch him on the trail around Lady Bird Lake, he might just make your days a bit more joyous and full, too. afm
Want To Hear Gilbert Share His Story and A Special Video of Going Home? On Thursday, April 17, the Gazelle Foundation will hold it’s third annual Spring for the Water fundraising event. The aim for this year is to raise more than $21,000, enough to build one of the proposed water projects for the people of Songa, Burundi. After completion, the project will provide close to 2,000 people clean drinking water for the first time in their lives.
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Tuhabonye will share his experiences of going home and seeing the impact these projects are having. A silent auction will go on throughout the evening, and those unable to attend can participate online at www.springforthewater.com.
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