Psychotherapy Training in Kigali

It is thought that 97% of people living in Rwanda at the time of the 1994 genocide witnessed the violence first hand. For background information on Rwanda, click here.

The enduring legacy of the genocide cannot be overstated. Although almost a million people were killed, there are also many survivors who have not yet spoken about the appalling things that were done to them or their families. An estimated quarter of a million women were raped during the 100 days of carnage, and many are now HIV positive as a consequence. In addition to being abused, tortured and beaten, many women saw their children and husbands murdered in front of them.

Several hundred thousand children were orphaned in 1994, and few of them have been able to talk about, or make sense of, what they experienced. Not surprisingly it is feared that the enduring trauma has affected people’s capacity to learn, work, and live their lives to the full.

Rwanda is a poor country, and much of the infrastructure that used to exist was destroyed in the genocide. Therefore it is unrealistic to expect the government to provide sufficient care for all those who need counselling and support. Understandably, Rwanda’s priorities have been to rebuild their nation, to feed and house people, and to try to build schools and health clinics in rural areas.

Thus, there remains a huge need to train Rwandans to offer psychological support to survivors. We would not presume to send psychotherapists from privileged, peaceful countries to give one-on-one counselling to people who have endured hell on earth. However, there is a role for volunteers from overseas in providing training in the techniques of psychotherapy, thereby enabling Rwandans to treat people in need.

Since November 2006, Network for Africa has sent groups of volunteer psychotherapists, nurses and counsellors to Rwanda. The volunteer groups have run training sessions with our Rwandan partners, Solace Ministries, in the capital, Kigali, and dozens have attended and completed our programmes.

Two of the initial psychotherapy training team stayed for two months, and other members have returned several times since then, bringing new volunteers with them and expanding the reach of the programme beyond Solace Ministries. It is hoped that we will have volunteers in Rwanda much of the year, reaching new people and building on existing skills.

Betsy Kain organized groups of professionals to teach methods of dealing with the psychological aftermath of the genocide.  The objective was not only to learn techniques to help oneself, but also to be able to teach these methods to their  larger communities. 

On the first trip, generously supported by the Tinsley Foundation, the volunteers trained widows and the staff of Solace Ministries,  On second trip in September, 2007, the group worked with more thanr 90 orphan heads of households, three groups of church leaders, and the staff of Solace Ministries.  Inspired by the many requests for more training  she plans to continue to return to Rwanda on a regular basis.
 
Her efforts have not been limited to training. Family, friends and her church in Santa Barbara have donated cash for Fresian (Holstein) cows and young goats. These animals have immediately helped to transform lives. Donated  scarves and jewelary have lifted the spirits of women who posess virtually nothing.  And solar powered flashlights are enabling people to function better in  rural communities without electricity.

Although our volunteers live very simply once they are in Rwanda, airfares are expensive, because it is not yet a tourist or business destination. A return fare from London to Kigali usually costs at least GBP 750 ($1,500). If you would like to provide financial support to send our volunteer teams to Rwanda please click here to donate.