Page 25 - Archangel

heroes in african holocaust

Trying desperately to keep them on course with a head wind, MacIain’s
worry for Layla’s welfare was palpable. He scanned 360 degrees for any
other craft crazy enough to be out on dangerous Lake Kivu at that hour.
Skye saw few boats, and none which approached their pitiful tub. As he
looked at Sean cradling Layla’s son he noticed a small cast on he child’s
leg. Skye’s thoughts returned to when he had met Layla and Keesie through
Dr. Jack Lozi.
While serving in the Benaco refugee camp on the Tanzanian border,
Jack, the trilingual, Swiss-trained surgeon recognized the skills and courage
of the two young women, and empowered them to lead regional refugee
health councils. Layla and Keezie had sought out Lozi in the first week of
massacres when the rest of the world scoffed for another two months at the
prospect of a pending mass genocide – before the grizzly truth on the scale
of Auschwitz was confirmed. Keezie and Layla coordinated moderate Hutu
heroes who were sheltering Tutsi children for days. In the earlier rescues,
those hidden near the border were often dressed as DRC school students
and evacuated in buses.
The ladies aided Lozi’s and MacIain’s field confirmation of hundreds
massacred at several sites. Their collective findings triggered an increased
PFW relief response. Even after Keezie’s murder, Layla continued working
with MacIain, Collins and Lozi to expand the refugee evacuation and
settlement care system which unfortunately grew out of anonymity and
into legend. Yet friend and foe alike had not vectored the operation’s
remaining exfil points or principals – until that night. While there were
hundreds of these unsung heroes, Skye and Sean specifically credited Layla
for restoring the aid workers’ faith and facility. And that fateful night Layla
again made a difference in the face of tragedy and sacrifice.

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