INTRODUCTION

HEALING, FORGIVENESS & RECONCILIATION IN RWANDA

CHRISTIAN ACTION FOR RECONCILIATION AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

Introduction

The 1994 genocide destroyed Rwandan society in all aspects of life. Currently, Rwandan people face the challenges of living together in one nation. Mutual trust, hope for future as well as human dignity within the country are very low. As a result, many Rwandans are suffering from psychological vulnerability and distress.

In addition, Rwanda is one of the poorest countries (in the world and) its misery was enhanced by wars and genocide. Large number of widows, orphans and prisoners are a heavy burden on Rwandan society as a whole. Therefore poverty has become a real challenge. Moreover, Rwandans are struggling with the AIDS pandemic which is devastating the whole world and is major problem for the youth in particular.

All of these factors affect the social life of Rwandan people, whose confidence and kinship relationships must be rebuilt daily. The hatred of genocide has produced so much pain that the victims would like to look for shelter elsewhere in order to be healed and try to forget their past. The daily life of too many survivors is dominated by remembrance, and many live in a constant state of despair. They need to be helped reintegrate into the society by means which take into account their tremendous sufferings. Yet, the reality of Rwandan society is that killers and victims, former and new refugees, all have to live together.

The restoration of the friendly relationships is a duty that appeals to everybody who desires peace and to have people to live and work together in harmony. This requires one to be above all compassionate, meaning each action should focus on the restitution, rather than the destruction of

society. Truth, justice and forgiveness are the basic pillars on which we must lean in order to have genuine reconciliation.

It is for all of these that Christian Action for Reconciliation and Social Assistance ( CARSA) was founded in order to help in the reconciliation and rebuilding of Rwandan society.

Historical Background of CARSA

Christian Action for Reconciliation and Social Assistance (CARSA) was founded in Rwanda in 2002 with the goal of promoting reconciliation, reconstruction and consolidation of a peaceful society where a culture of tolerance, solidarity, confidence and dialogue is sustained. Though CARSA’s activities focus on all categories of people, particular attention is given to the youth, especially students.

CARSA tries to create a dialogue between young genocide survivors, victims of different ethnic backgrounds and families’ conflicts through seminars of healing and conferences or debates organized in schools and universities. These young people are able to express their feelings to one another and thus put an end to their loneliness and enclosure caused by suffering and traumatism.

CARSA obtained its legal status on 6/10/2004 by ministerial order nº111/11. Its registered office is in Kacyiru district, Kigali city council. It is composed of 15 actual members: 5 women and 10 men.

CARSA Vision

To have a society where peace, solidarity and unity in diversity is maintained.

CARSA Mission

To participate in fight against ideologies of segregation and divisionism and (the) promotion of social welfare of the youth of Rwanda.

many (other) organisations may share this mission but may focus on different aspects. Therefore collaboration (in this case) is indispensable since it is difficult to work for holistic development in isolation.

The order and harmonization of activities in this mission or a synergy of efforts in the actions sounds constraining and compulsory.

CARSA Values

Transformed (Transformation) by Christ’s gospel;

Devotion;

Commitment;

Determination;

Compassion;

Faithful personnel;

Young, educated and dynamic personnel.

CARSA Objectives

Overal (Overall) Objective

To part-take in the nation reconstruction (reconstruction of the nation) by (through the) promotion of citizens’ attitudes (positive attitudes of citizens)

and cooperative behaviour in their holistic development.

Specific Objectives

To promote the reconciliation and peace culture (a culture of reconciliation and peace);

To promote health and to fight against HIV/AIDS;

To promote a sustainable development and to fight against poverty.

Field of Activity

CARSA focuses its activity on all categories of people, but mainly deals with the youth, notably students.

Among young people, CARSA mostly invests its efforts in the following subjects:

Healing of traumatic wounds and reconciliation;

Social assistance in various forms;

Reinforcement of youth’s capacity for job creation.

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