Genocide is a poisonous bush that grows not from two or three roots, but from a tangle of roots that has smoldered underground where no one notices, until the brutality bursts into flames, eliminating the soul of the perpetrators as they guiltlessly draw blood and commit wanton murder.
Between April and July 1994, Rwanda witnessed a frenzied 100 days of mass killings, rampant rape and numerous other horrific acts. An estimated more than one million people were slaughtered. The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was one of the defining events of the twentieth century. Victims, perpetrators and children born whilst the genocide raged are still coping with the trauma of the brutality that touched all citizens.
In the past quarter century, Rwanda has made remarkable progress in rebuilding the shattered lives from the ashes of the Genocide. In spite of these significant achievements, communities across Rwanda are dealing with the social, psychological and economic impacts of the Genocide. Trauma today continues to be raw.
Never Again Rwanda in collaboration with Interpeace and the support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation, pioneered a unique holistic program to treat trauma which fosters social cohesion. The aim is to heal the invisible wounds etched deeply in haunted souls, and to create safe spaces for participants to learn what caused the Genocide, especially amongst the youth who grew up under a mantle of silence about that tarnished era.
The program has achieved a lot in reducing trauma, and revenge tendencies as well as anger, whilst building a positive psychological resilience that diminishes depression, creating social trust and tolerance.
Meet some of the beneficiaries of the ‘Space’ program. Their personal stories are an inspiration of what is possible to create: hope.
Edward and his wife Valena stand at their doorway with their youngest son. When the Genocide erupted, Edward and his wife escaped. Valena with her family sought refuge in the DR Congo. Edward was miraculously protected by a sympathetic Hutu neighbor. All of Edward’s family were murdered. He recalled in an early escape he had hidden amongst corpses feigning death.
“I witnessed young girls being raped, butchered, you can never forget the terror, you can never forget what your eyes witnessed, Genocide is the most despicable crime, more than any other criminal action. The savagery is unimaginable” – Edward
For many years after the Genocide ended, Edward and Valena suffered depression; the conflict had severely traumatized them. Through the ‘Space’ program where survivors and perpetrators share their sorrows and fears, they have learned that they weren’t alone in their feelings and with shared experiences, healing began. There was a sense of community.
“My husband was found guilty in a Gacaca Trial in 2008. Till this day he says he never killed anyone and refuses to ask for ‘forgiveness’. There was circumstantial evidence; a Tutsi was killed in our house, he was hiding, Hutu militia followed him there and killed him. My husband was powerless to stop the slaughter. I will be faithful to him till he is released from jail. Sadly since the jail is over 3 hours from my home, I only see him once a year as I cannot afford the transport. I am very fortunate that my Tutsi neighbors, have been sympathetic and supportive, even providing housing for me and my children. Naturally, my greatest challenge is raising a family with no means of support. Poverty is our enemy. In the ‘Space’ program the most important lesson I have learned is how to let go of fear and how to interact with all people, how to be open – when problems are shared, it is less a burden. I have developed a reputation of being a problem solver. One of the major issues people seek my help is domestic violence which is endemic in our community. I learned my counselling skills in the NAR program, I emphasize the importance of working through problems with respect.” – Florida
“My family were cattle farmers. After returning to Rwanda when the war was over, we scaled down since my father had died. I think the Genocide was a product of hate because of what ethnicity we were born. The hate was flamed by teachings that said the Tutsi were inhuman and weren’t good people. When you are young, you believe this idea which is passed down in schools and at home. Conflict creates trauma for all sides. Through the programme we learned how to understand the different perspectives of Hutu and Tutsi as they had been raised with preconceived notions. Only once you understand the evil methods of dividing a people, can you learn how to forgive and heal. As a nation we must live in harmony and not promote ethnicity separation.” Aline
In a tiny hovel of a room of no more than 1.5 square meters, Anita, immaculately dressed in a matching outfit with her daughter, calmly retells her tragic family life story. She was only 6 months old when her mother left her father, abandoning her. They lived in a home shared with her father’s mother and sister. As a young child, she was harshly treated by her grandmother and aunt. They beat her and deprived her of food that was provided by her father. When she was 3, her aunt attempted to kill her by shoving her down a toilet but failed as her arms would not fit through. This horror she retells as it is a lingering nightmare.
“During the Genocide my father was a brigadier in the Interahamwe, for his crimes he was incarcerated. Whilst in jail, as his daughter I was responsible for visiting and bringing food twice a week. I felt ashamed and angry for what crimes he had committed. He would never reveal to me the truth about his participation in the killings. He died two years ago. My great sadness is I never had a real family, and perhaps I would not have fallen pregnant with a man I didn’t love, if my father was there to guide me. Now I have a family raising my daughter as a single Mom.” – Anita
By Carol Allen-Storey
An award-winning photojournalist specializing in chronicling humanitarian and social issues