October 1, unity and reconciliation campaign was launched countrywide. The annual campaign focuses on promoting unity and reconciliation.
This year’s campaign was held under the theme: “Let’s join efforts to build a nation devoid of discrimination and genocide ideology.”
A religious organization, Rabagirana Ministries whose mandate is to ensure that Rwanda becomes a model of lasting peace and unity, has during this month been conducting various activities in Kicukiro District.
Those activities were conducted in partnership with local leaders, and religious leaders.
According to Dr Joseph Nyamutera, Director and Founder of Rabagirana Ministries , various categories such as church leaders, youth representatives and university students were trained on unity and reconciliation.
During the period, at least 1000 youth participated in an online training and 50 homes that had featured domestic conflicts and violence were re-united.
On Tuesday, Rabagirana Ministries organized an event to recognize the personnel who outstandingly contributed to the ministry of unity, peace and reconciliation. The event brought together government officials, church leaders, families and university students.
Addressing the participants, Nyamutera said that they are putting more emphasis on young generation.
He noted that Rabagirana Ministries works with 15 universities to promote unity and reconciliation. They also work with prisons where inmates are encouraged to apologize for their role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Cecile Mujawayezu was for a long time a victim of domestic violence.
“I have spent a long time tortured by my own husband. I was depressed by the situation and my heart was seriously wounded. My scene has changed when I heard about Rabagirana’s healing programme. They came to me to comfort and now I am healed. I am thankful to God,” Mujawayesu said.
A youthful lady, Sylvie Umutesi, testified that trainings had completely changed her life.
“I used to live a miserable life and was hopeless. Since the time I participated in healing trainings I started feeling inner change. My spiritual life has been elevated,”
Umutesi added that during lockdown she hosted a virtual event to train other young people about healing, unity and reconciliation.
Norbert Shyerezo, Advisor to the Executive Secretary of National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, has commended the role of religious organizations in accelerating unity and reconciliation.
“The government highly recognizes the role of religious organizations to build the unity of Rwandans. Over the years, we have been experiencing the progress. Wherever any Rwandan is, they should bear in mind that life without unity is lost,” Shyerezo noted.
According to Aaron Mushyikirwa, who represented Kicikuro District, as people work to find solutions for themselves in economy and technology they should also do the same in bringing peace.
On the same day, Rabagirana Ministries launched Ubumwe Art shop reserved for the re-united families of genocide survivors and genocide perpetrators. The shop also will be used as a platform to convey messages on unity and reconciliations.
PICTURES
