Healing Through Unity and Resilience

Three decades after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the scars of violence still linger in Rwanda. Recent studies from the Rwanda Biomedical Center, 2019, reveal that around 12% of Rwandans suffer from depression, with trauma rates among genocide survivors reaching a staggering 28%. This underscores the critical need for collective and innovative healing approaches to achieve sustainable peace and resilience.

“It is evident that the journey to lasting peace and healing is far from over. Healing is a process that requires collective effort. The question is, what do we have to improve to achieve lasting peace and healing?” remarked Dr. Nkurunziza Joseph Ryarasa, Executive Director of Never Again Rwanda (NAR), as he addressed experts and healing practitioners during the Annual National Strategic Meeting on Healing Issues with Healing Actors.

Held under the theme “Unity and Healing Interventions after 30 Years: Strengthening Community Resilience through Trauma-Informed Peacebuilding,” the meeting underscored the urgent need to address these lingering challenges. Organized in partnership with Interpeace Rwanda and Aegis Trust, Never Again Rwanda brought together stakeholders to discuss innovative healing approaches and reinforce collaborative efforts to foster sustainable peace and resilience in Rwanda.

For over 22 years, Never Again Rwanda has been instrumental in efforts of healing and resilience, empowering citizens with non-violent conflict resolution methods and promoting trauma healing. The organization introduced peacebuilding programs that emphasize peace education, psychological healing, critical thinking and youth engagement, contributing significantly to Rwanda’s resilience and influencing peace policy.

While sharing NAR’s peacebuilding interventions approaches, Claver Gatabazi, Head of Peacebuilding Program and Genocide Prevention pillar at NAR, ensured that the organization has increased trust and tolerance among citizens and enhanced capacity development among citizens in peace education and healing methodologies. One of this impact was felt through the innovative Spaces for Peace model. These safe spaces provide platforms for grassroots dialogues, enabling community members to share personal stories, confront societal wounds, and rebuild trust.

Between 2022 and 2024, over 9,706 members including 6,408 females and 3,298 males participated in these 438 spaces with 7 districts such as Nyagatare, Rwamagana, Ngoma, Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Huye and Nyarugenge, reporting reduced trauma and enhanced psychological resilience. This platform also provided a Voluntary Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) supported by NAR, helping community members to find support for socio-economic development as they heal because financial stability is also a part of one’s well-being.

Form July 2022 to March 2024, over 216 Spaces for Peace participants across five districts collectively saved RWF 141 million through VSLAs. One notable example is the Abishyizehamwe group in Huye District, which invested in pig farming, and the Ingo z’Amahoro group in Nyarugenge, which ventured into poultry farming. In addition, over 1,364 reported improvements in emotional health while over 964 experienced increased income.

These projects not only boost economic stability but also strengthen bonds among members, reinforcing the essence of unity and shared purpose.

Youth engagement has been a cornerstone of NAR’s efforts. Through peace clubs and initiatives such as the Annual Youth Conference on Policy and Practices for the commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi, International of peace youth conference as well as peacebuilding institute sessions where young people are equipped with critical thinking skills, peace values, and tools to combat genocide denial and divisionism.

The organization’s creative approaches, including CINEDUC (Cinema for Education), trigger discussions on unity and reconciliation. A testament to this impact is the shift in attitudes among young participants, many of whom have embraced their role as peace ambassadors, fostering tolerance and social cohesion in their communities.

School-based peace clubs, which empower students to embrace non-violent conflict resolutions, were discussed as a critical component of long-term peacebuilding. Aegis Trust Country Director, Alphonse Munyantwali, emphasized the importance of clear guidance and regular meetings for these clubs to address challenges effectively: "To solve the challenges among school clubs, organizations that host these clubs should meet regularly to explain each club's purpose to both school and club leaders. The school’s head teachers and Club leaders should be empowered to handle these challenges in case they may arise among club members."

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This call for unity among organizations was echoed throughout the event. By aligning efforts, stakeholders can amplify their impact, ensuring that no community is left behind. Reflecting on the future of the alliance among healing actors, Margaret Mahoro, the Senior Program Manager Interpeace Rwanda, said: "There should be strong coordination among the healing actors to reach a bigger audience in all districts, to avoid collision in project implementation."

While reflecting on the meeting on X platform, Dr. Nkurunziza Joseph Ryarasa, had this to say: “Conversations like these allow us to address the underlying challenges still facing reconciliation, collaboratively reassess our interventions, and develop adaptable frameworks. As healing actors, we often overlook deeper analyses of societal challenges. We must harmonize to create frameworks that not only respond to challenges but also interlink our efforts for greater impact. I extend my gratitude to all the healing actors who joined us today and for your invaluable contributions to promising actionable steps,” he reminded his followers and the Rwandan community in general.

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Key recommendations included expanding trauma-informed leadership sessions from government leaders to church leaders and schoolteachers, strengthening coordination among healing actors, and enhancing psychosocial support through additional training and resource allocation. The importance of engaging youth through interactive media and participatory theaters was emphasized, with a focus on using radios and social platforms to reach a broader audience.