Rwanda Reborn: Progress and Potential Beyond a Painful Past
Seeking Funds for Legal Awareness: Visit to the EU Office
Entering the second week, we began with a visit to the EU office, seeking guidance on funding proposals for RBJ's latest youth legal awareness project. Given RBJ's non-profit status, our sustenance largely depends on sourcing funds and sponsorships through such proposals to organizations like the EU.
Later that week, we visited the Netherlands embassy, attending a presentation on the execution and effectiveness of socio-therapy throughout Rwanda. This therapy, although applicable beyond the scope of the 1994 genocide reparations, is currently integral to healing the country. Socio-therapy aims to mend relationships in communities affected by the genocide, addressing the anguish and guilt experienced by both victims and perpetrators.
The Power of Socio-Therapy & Rwanda's Resilience
The socio-therapy involves community gatherings where direct victims and the perpetrators engage in dialogues, expressing their emotions, ultimately leading to acceptance and forgiveness. It was presented that harboring guilt led to economic stagnation, while addressing these traumas saw an improvement in wealth. The majority of the attendees were above 40, indicating most had experienced the genocide first-hand.
Rwanda's past tragedy has affected nearly all families I have encountered, including my host family. The mother was raised an orphan after losing most of her family, and her son-in-law, who lost his father in the event, is another example. As a newcomer, I tend to listen attentively when someone shares their stories, avoiding probing questions.
Motivated to understand more, I visited the Genocide Memorial Museum during the weekend. One poignant exhibit was a room dedicated to children lost to the genocide, with plaques celebrating their short lives and candidly noting the brutal manner of their deaths.
Rwanda's history is not solely defined by tragedy; it's a country of resilience. Despite the dark past, the nation continues to grow, gaining recognition across Africa for its advancements. For instance, the National Basketball Association (NBA) from the U.S. has established junior NBA programs and even conducts the African ABL championship here, signifying its progress.
Broadening my contributions, I've connected with other IBJ subsidiaries such as Burundi Bridges to Justice and the DRC Bridges to Justice. Being a native English speaker, I aid in establishing clear communication with these Francophone offices, particularly when revising their proposals. As I move forward, I am excited to continue working with these offices and enriching my understanding of the broader East African region.