It’s hard to miss Alsene Nduwayo. He’s big, he’s got a great laugh and he’s always around people. And then of course there’s his smile.
While most students and faculty on campus know Alsene by his smile, most do not know the story behind the smile. Alsene’s journey to the University of Dallas is a longer one than most. To be exact, Alsene’s story stretches from Rwanda, Africa to Irving, Texas with many stops in between.
“I remember waking up to bullets…” he started. That was the beginning of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 for Alsene, who was only four years old at the time. Years of tension between Hutus and Tutsis, the two primary Rwandan tribes, escalated into widespread violence after the assassination of Juvénal Habyarimana, the Rwandan president. Angry over the death of their president, Hutus violently targeted Tutsis wherever they could be found.
For Alsene this horrific situation was even worse as his mother was Tutsi and his father Hutu. As Alsene’s mother and sister were the “epitome of Tutsi” their lives were in extreme danger, as those who looked Tutsi were shot on the spot. Due to this, Alsene and his family had to separate from his mother as she sought safety with a friend.
Seeking safety for himself and his family, Alsene’s father piled his children and others into a 12 passenger van and headed towards his father’s home near the border of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Of the 12 people in the van at the beginning of their escape to safety, only 7, including Alsene, made it to his grandfather’s home. “I don’t know what happened to the rest,” said Alsene.
It could be said that the Rwandan Civil War started a series of movement that has not really stopped for Alsene. After the civil war, Alsene began attending a boarding school outside of Rwanda at the age of six. “He knew the best education was outside,” said Alsene of his father. Between 1996 and 2003, Alsene moved a great deal. Two of his later stops included schools Kenya and South Africa. “I’m like a nomad,” he said. “I’m always moving.”
Alsene’s wanderings continued when his father decided to move his family to the United States. The purpose of the move was not to pursue economic opportunity in the United States, but rather to obtain green cards. During the civil war, governments had airlifted out Rwandans with green cards from their respective countries. Alsene’s family had not been so fortunate, and his father was determined to acquire green cards to secure his family’s future safety.
With the aid of family friend, Janvier, the Nduwayos moved from Rwanda to Frisco, Texas. Janvier, a Tutsi who was able to move away during the genocide, acted as the Nduwayos agent for their new home in Frisco. While Alsene began attending the University of Dallas, his father worked to obtain green cards for his family.
In his attempt to secure green cards for his family, Mr. Nduwayo was told by the government to temporarily return to Rwanda. “Did daddy forget about us?” Alsene’s siblings began to ask his mother. Upon hearing this, Mr. Nduwayo could not bear the thought of being without his children for any longer and moved his family back to Rwanda. He is currently managing a hotel in Rwanda while attempting to acquire Canadian green cards for his family.
While certainly disappointed with his family’s return to Rwanda, Alsene is not overcome by sadness or anger. He is perhaps one of the most even-keeled people I have met. This attitude is not an accident; it is the attitude held by all survivors. “Every day is a blessed day,” he said. “That goes for every survivor.” Alsene speaks of how he does not get upset or angry about anything small because life is too short. “That’s why you’ll never see me sad,” he said. “We (survivors) are fortunate we have this extra time.”
Due to the limitations of his student visa, Alsene will not be able to attend medical school in the United States. Thus he is planning on relocating once again. “I’m always travelling,” said Alsene. “I’m good at getting use to and fitting in.” He then proceeded, “Wherever the wind takes me.” Pausing, he laughed and continued, “I like that one.” This fall the wind will carry Alsene to the Caribbean where he will attend St. James School of Medicine.
And with this extra time he has received there is one thing Alsene is sure to do - smile.
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