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Prison Fellowship Rwanda in Ex-Combatant Re-Integration Program

Prison Fellowship Rwanda firmly believes in the possibility of genuine reconciliation in Rwanda country among all groups in Rwanda. That is why PFR is now reaching outto assist the reintegration of ex-combatants in the Northern Province of Musanze, Rwanda.

These ex-combatants were formerly associated with FDLR militias (interahamwe former genocidaires) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After many years of rebel activities in the Congo, most of these ex-combatants made the decision to return home to Rwanda and choose a life of peace and security and turn back from their life as a rebel soldier.

The very first step for an ex-combatant returning to Rwanda requires them to spend some time in a Rwanda government solidarity camp, learning about the social, economical and political policies of the country and about how the country is different than it was in the 1994 genocide. Many of these ex-combatants have not been back to their home country since before the genocide.

Afterwards, PFR welcomed a group of 60 ex-combatants to assist them into community re-integration. Many of them have no education or vocational skills to allow them to start a new life.

 

Group of ex-combatants after recieving goats. In the middle is Pastor Deo GASHAGAZA

Executive Director Of PF Rwanda

In the past, these men were mainly exposed to ideas of hatred and genocide ideology, and now PFR is working closely with these men to help them adopt a new mindset of peace, love, and collaboration.

In order for these members to create peaceful and prosperous communities, PFR conducted training on creating business cooperative, income generating activities, and loan reimbursement for ex-combatants together with the pre-existing PFR communities of genocide survivors and repentant ex-prisoners.

The first training course was offered to 60 ex-combatants, and mobilized soldiers from Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) who were not left behind and 15 ex-prisoners and genocide survivors. As the 60 ex-combatants were new to the community, 60 goats were distributed to get them started on their own income generating projects.

While the primary purpose was to equip the participants with necessary skills to develop sustainable livelihood, the overarching goal was to bring together people from different backgrounds to learn how to work together peacefully and develop meaningful and reconciled relationships.

Following the training, four cooperatives were formed comprising over 100members. PFR plans to continue strengthening these groups in the future to yield a peaceful community to spur their social and economic development.

 

Trauma Care in April

The month of April is a very difficult time for most Rwandans. April 7, 2010 marks the sixteenth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, where over one million Rwandans were killed in just under 100 days.

Sixteen years after the genocide is not a long time, and memories of the pain and loss are still raw and fresh in the minds of thousands of Rwandans. Many Rwandan survivors suffer from trauma and traumatic episodes during the period of April as they remember the horrific crimes experienced against them.

PFR operates a ministry to a group of 35 widows with HIV/AIDS. Many of these women were brutally raped as a genocide weapon by men infected with HIV/AIDS and most of the women lost their husbands in the 1994 genocide. The trauma the women have experienced is horrific and they are in great need of counseling, along with economic and nutritional assistance. In order to address cases of trauma that many of these women experience, PFR partnered with a counselor from Norwegian Church Aid, to offer a creative and therapeutic way to equip the women to treat themselves and others to release the physical burdens of tension, anxiety, stress, and trauma that many of these women experience on a regular basis.

Some of women in training with their trainer at PFR office

 

 

This is called "Thought Field Therapy," and is an effective and quick technique that can be used anywhere to treat those who struggle with anxiety, traumatic episodes, and other psychological problems.

The therapy follows a method where the individual can place physical pressure on acupuncture pressure points all over the body through a light and rhythmic beating from the hands on the forehead, temples, area above the lips, the chin, the chest, under the arm, and finger tips. The treatment can last for 10-20 minutes followed by deep breathing exercises. It has been proven to inspire a noticeable change in the body and mind of the individual by relaxing the body and mind. The therapy has been used on trauma cases from the Vietnam War and the Iraq War, but it can be used for many different psychological issues.

 

 

The HIV/AIDS women enjoyed learning how to conduct this physical treatment on themselves and on their friends. They can use this valuable therapy treatment anywhere, and it will be especially useful in April, when they are reminded of the horrific experiences they endured. Now they can calm themselves down and relieve the physical stress that accompanies their mourning through this effective treatment method

 

Women in practice

Here are the women practicing the treatment on their friends. They can now help their friends calm down if they are experiencing distress or trauma as well as themselves.
PFR is thankful for our partnership with Norwegian Church Aid. Please continue to pray for Rwanda as even the month of April passed and pray for PFR in the continuation of our reconciliation work in the Rwandan communities and prisons during this time.

Please donate now to allow PFR to provide for HIV/AIDS women in nutrition and income generating activities. If you donate through PFI, please be sure to write "support PFR Women's HIV/AIDS Ministry" in the appropriate space.