In the midst of one of the most horrific genocides in human history, a small hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, became a beacon of hope for thousands of refugees seeking safety. The Hotel des Mille Collines, also known as the Hotel Rwanda, was a humble establishment that would go on to play a pivotal role in saving the lives of over 1,000 people during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The hotel’s guests, too, showed remarkable resilience and courage in the face of unimaginable horror. Many had witnessed the brutal murders of their families and friends, and yet they found solace in the hotel’s safe haven. The hotel became a symbol of hope and humanity, a testament to the power of compassion and kindness in the darkest of times.
The genocide, which lasted from April to July 1994, was sparked by the assassination of Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana, a Hutu, by a rocket attack on his plane. The Hutu-led government and extremist groups, known as the Interahamwe, used the assassination as a pretext to launch a systematic campaign of violence against the Tutsi minority and moderate Hutus. The resulting bloodshed was brutal and devastating, with an estimated 800,000 people killed, mostly from the Tutsi population.
Today, the Hotel des Mille Collines is a thriving hotel once again, and Paul Rusesabagina is a celebrated hero and humanitarian. He has received numerous awards for his bravery, including the Order of Canada and the National Medal of Civic Service. The hotel has also become a museum and a symbol of Rwanda’s resilience and determination to rebuild.
As the violence escalated, Rusesabagina began to receive desperate calls from friends, family, and strangers alike, begging for his help. He opened the hotel’s doors to anyone who sought refuge, regardless of their ethnicity or background. The hotel’s capacity was 60 guests, but Rusesabagina soon found himself accommodating over 1,000 people, including women, children, and the elderly.