Marc Vaiter
Marc Vaiter (1954–1996) was a French HIV-positive and Christian, who was one of the few Westerners who stayed in Rwanda during the genocide in 1994. Vaiter survived the genocide and simultaneous civil war, and saved hundreds of Tutsi children. Vaiter told his story in a book published in 1995, called "Je n'ai pas pu les sauver tous" ("I could not save them all").
Biography
Marc Vaiter was born on 12 February 1954 in Paris.[1] Vaiter grew up in a villa in Noisy-le-Grand. Vaiter had a troubled youth, and he first attempted suicide at the age of 12.[2] After Vaiter tested positive for HIV in 1987, he caused a death in an accident as a result of substance abuse and was sentenced to eight months of prison. In prison, Vaiter took solace in Christianity, and later, on 13 December 1990, Vaiter had a revelation.[2] Vaiter began to work with AIDS patients after leaving prison. In 1993, Vaiter believed God was calling on him to help AIDS patients in Uganda. Weeks later, on 7 October 1993, Vaiter travelled to Rwanda, a country he knew nothing about, to help AIDS patients there.[2]
In Rwanda, Vaiter soon began to take children under his protection, and when the genocide started in April 1994, he declined to be evacuated along with other Europeans. Vaiter survived the genocide and saved hundreds of children.[3]
Vaiter died of malaria on 15 September 1996 in Togo, where he had founded a clinic.[3]
References
- ↑ Vaiter 1995, p. 28.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Vaiter 1995, pp. 25–29.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 La Croix 1996.
Sources
- Vaiter, Marc (1995). Je n'ai pas pu les sauver tous : Kigali... Rwanda... 7 avril 1994..." (in français). Plon. ISBN 2-259-18222-4. Search this book on
- La Croix (22 September 1996). "Le « sauveur des enfants rwandais » Marc Vaiter est décédé au Togo" (in français).
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