thing hidden underground, they would make a different noise. And if they found these things, forget it, that man was finished. They warned every farmer, “Don’t do that” But some farmers tried to save their families by hiding food.
Dr. MACE: Who led-this procurement brigade in your village, who led it? You mentioned that a Communist —
Mr. KONONENKO: I mentioned you had to be what they called a dedicated Com¬munist. Most of them, if they put the local man, he would be an alcoholic because he’d have a soul, like a human being. Everyone has a soul. Dr. MACE: So, was this someone from outside the village?
Mr. KONONENKO: Most of them, if they send a leader Communist from outside, forget it. They’re different, because he’s a stranger, and he just tries to do what he is supposed to do. That’s all, take everything from the farmers. That’s the terrible thing.
Dr. MACE: Thank you so much. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, in particular on behalf of the Chairman, Congressman Mica. And at this point, I think we need to move to questions.
Do members of the Commission have questions for the witness?
Ms. VOLKER: I have one. As a teacher, what was your food ration?
Mr. KONONENKO: You know what happened? They give a monthly ration to make bread. I remember I received for the entire month, 16 kilograms. I took that 16 kilograms on my back and went through the steppes to my mother. And my mother would have something to give my family I told my mother, “Put anything, even cut straw to make look like more,” and she baked something. She mixed everything and baked it for me. I put on my back again and went to my school. And my older brother had a cow and my mother make yogurt. I was skinny, but I was proud I did something to save my mom and pop and my younger sister.
Ms. MAZURKEVICH: Can I ask something? In 1932, you had 40 students in your class. Then the famine took its toll. How many were you left with? And when you told the principal that we have to help them, we have to do something to these children, he told you, “We can’t get involved.” Did you do anything on your own and report anything?
Mr. KONONENKO: I told you. I talk with principal, and he told me to forget it, just keep silent If children come or not, it was my duty to teach. But he told me, “Don’t involve yourself deeper or be closer. Just do your teaching duty. That’s all.” And that’s it
Dr. KUROPAS: You started with 40 students. How many did you end up with after one year?
Mr. KONONENKO: I think—wait a minute. Half I never saw again. But remem¬ber, at the central high school, all Communist leaders at that time believed and told their children that those who belonged to Communist activist parents would be saved. Regular farmers, they perished. Some who used to be activist and were troubled by system and changed their minds. But everybody had to be quiet. We only talked if we were sure we would not be betrayed, with a true friend. And that life, I believe, exists even now. Just they changed form, try to show off for the Western world, to fool them. That’s all.
Ms. MAZURKEVICH: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Kononenko.
Any other questions for the witness?