We didn't understand what was happening, because we use to live peacefully, Hutu and Tutsi together. Only when we arrived at the Archdiocese did we realise what is going on. I saw Tutsi injured by machetes, Hutu injured by bayonetes. That's how I understood how serious the situation was. But before that, we lived in peace.

It was incredible what she was doing. When she took us in her small car, she got two men in the back: me and another person. She covered us with blankets. It was clear that she had not driven for a long time. Before we arrived at the military barrier, she prayed to God to protect us. We were afraid, but we had a little hope that with her we might survive. When she passed the barrier she felt relieved. She risked her life going in the hills saving people.

She brought us to the archdiocese and we stayed there. While there we prayed a great deal much. We were frightened, because sometimes soldiers came and encircle the place. In brief she risked her life and it was clear she was also afraid.

Q: Why do you think there were not more people like Maman Nestor to save others?
Nelson: Because this involved risking one's life. That courage is a gift, which is not given to everyone. If everybody had it we would not have such tragedies anymore.

It is like the holy spirit which exists in some people. They experience it in different ways. A person can draw strength from it and do good things for other people. Among all persons who lived on this Earth, prophets who taught love are very few in number. I am not surprised that Maman Nestor did what she did. But it's a quality which exists in very few people.