Presbyterian Ministry for Reconciliation - July 2014 Update
Rwanda
Dear Friends of Rwandans,
Peacemakers and Healing Ministries (PHM) trains young people between the ages of 16 and 35, especially those in educational institutions, about conflict, its causes and consequences. We teach them conflict prevention, effects of conflict, resolution of conflict and reconciliation. We use stories from Rwanda’s history so that the students learn from it and vow to be part of building a new nation. We look forward to living in a nation where everyone, without exception, is proud of living free from terror. These lessons enable the youth to join together in their efforts to improve the next generation of Rwandans. Most of the students who attend our seminars are survivors of the 1994 genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi. Some of them have parents who have been detained for their involvement in the 1994 genocide.
From March 31st to April 2nd we held training on conflict management, conflict prevention, and violence and its consequences. The new students who joined this year received information about conflict and violence in general and how to prevent conflict. They were happy to receive this training, because many of them did not know that conflict can be prevented. After the training many of them decided to change their attitudes in order to make the world a better place. We hope the training will have a positive impact not only in the schools but also on society in general.
Youth constitute a large part of the Rwandan population. According to a recent census, there are eleven million Rwandans – 39% are young people. Our training focuses on the youth because in the genocide many of them were used to perpetrate killings and other crimes such as rape, arson, looting and so on with no consideration of consequences. So as part of building sustainable peace for the next generation of Rwandans, we envision bringing together young people from all parts of the country to Remera, Kamonyi District to provide training on resolving conflict and preventing violence. The hope is that the youth will learn to recognize when an action may lead to conflict and how it can be avoided. During the recent seminars the youth were taught the effects of conflict. They then testified that so often in the past they had found themselves in situations they could have avoided if only they had known. The ultimate aim of the training is to make the young people conscious of the environment they live in as well as to recognize the necessity of conflict awareness in order to deal with it in their everyday lives. This could ultimately transform Rwanda into a better place for future generations to live together peacefully. Peacemakers clubs in Presbyterian schools have been formed, and we are excited about their progress.
The next step will be teaching them the process of being agents of reconciliation. We will discuss this with the youth through peacemakers clubs in their respective educational institutions. Youth who are not in schools will be encouraged to form their own peacemakers clubs, and Peacemakers and Healing Ministries will assist them by providing them with the necessary materials.
The Healing and Reconciliation Ministry plans to reach out to different high schools in Kamonyi District first. The targeted schools are Groupe Scolaire Isonga-Runda, Bubazi, Nyarusave-Mwirute, and Nyarubuye.
We are so grateful to you all for your contributions to this ministry.
May God bless you,
Reverend BIZIMANA Jerome
Read more about the Presbyterian Ministry for Reconciliation by clicking here.
Amount needed in 2014
The Outreach Foundation seeks to raise at least $15,000 for seminars and peace club materials through Healing and Reconciliation Ministry. To make a donation, click the Donate Now link in the sidebar.
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