Healing & Reconciliation

Welcome to the Healing and Reconciliation Program in ADEPR Church, where we strive to bring hope, healing, and harmony to Rwanda after the tragic events of the 1994 genocide. Our mission is to support survivors, ex-prisoners, families, and the next generation affected by the transgenerational trauma resulting from the genocide.

Historical Background: The Healing and Reconciliation Ministry was birthed in the ADEPR Church in the year 2000, initiated by university students through the organization ONAP. Driven by prayer and a deep desire to overcome the consequences of the Genocide against the Tutsis, this ministry has grown steadily over the years. In 2010, under the leadership of ADEPR Church, a permanent service of Healing and Reconciliation was established, signifying our commitment to fostering peace and unity in Rwanda.

Our Programs:

1. Genocide Commemoration and Remembrance: We honor the memory of the victims and ensure their stories are not forgotten. Through commemorations and remembrance events, we pay tribute to those who lost their lives, fostering empathy and understanding.
2. Psychosocial Reintegration Program: We recognize the challenges faced by ex-prisoners and their families as they seek to rebuild their lives outside of prison. Our psychosocial reintegration program provides essential support to aid in their healing journey.
3. Healing Workshops, Campaigns, and Conferences: We organize workshops, campaigns, and conferences aimed at promoting healing and resilience within the community. These events foster dialogue, forgiveness, and understanding among individuals of different backgrounds.
4. Psychotherapy: Our qualified therapists provide individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy to address the mental health issues stemming from the genocide. We believe that healing begins from within and extends to the entire community.
5. Debriefing Program: Through our debriefing program, we provide a safe space for survivors and perpetrators to share their experiences and emotions, facilitating a path towards reconciliation and forgiveness.
6. Health Centers and Promoting Community Health: We recognize the importance of physical well-being alongside mental healing. Our health centers aim to improve community health, ensuring that individuals can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Impacts and Achievements: Over the years, our Healing and Reconciliation Program has made significant strides in fostering a better and united Rwanda:

1. Peace and Harmony: By bringing together genocide survivors and perpetrators, we have facilitated an environment of peace and harmony, promoting understanding and reconciliation.
2. Psychological Healing: Many individuals affected by the genocide have found relief from depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues, thanks to our psychotherapy and support services.
3. Repentance and Forgiveness: Families of survivors and the Rwandan community have experienced deep repentance and sought forgiveness, laying the foundation for healing and reconciliation.
4. Honoring Victims: Through sharing information and showing the resting places of genocide victims, we pay homage to those who lost their lives, ensuring their memories live on.
5. Positive Mindset: Our programs have successfully changed negative mindsets to positive ones, encouraging hope and optimism for the future.
6. Combating Genocide Ideology: In regions with Healing initiatives, we have witnessed a decrease in genocide ideology, paving the way for a more tolerant and compassionate society.
7. Restoring Relationships: Individuals who were once adversaries have found freedom and reconciliation, mending broken relationships and building a united community.
8. Empowerment and Cohesion: By working together and assisting the most vulnerable, we have fostered trust, cooperation, and social cohesion among community members.
9. Lasting Hope: Members of our healing groups have found lasting hope, realizing that they are not defined by their past but by their potential for a better future.
10. Acceptance and Peace: Those who were once rejected by society have found acceptance and lasting peace, as our programs embrace all individuals with compassion and understanding.

As we continue our journey, we currently work in 30 Parishes, with 180 trained facilitators (peace-makers) empowering grassroots communities through the ADEPR Church institutions. To date, we have supported 1723 Genocide perpetrators and 1754 genocide survivors, along with 523 women and 699 youth from diverse backgrounds. We are proud to witness the transformation of these individuals, as some await graduation from phase one, and others progress to phase two of social and economic activities.

Our commitment to healing and reconciliation remains steadfast, and we look forward to the day when Rwanda is fully restored, embracing a future built on unity, love, and understanding. Join us on this meaningful journey towards a brighter tomorrow. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those affected by the tragedies of the past and shape a compassionate and harmonious future for all Rwandans.