‘He killed my sister. Now I see his remorse’
April 10, 2024 8:15 AM Subscribe
The extraordinary stories of survivors of the Rwandan genocide who forgave their attackers (SL Guardian)
How do people overcome such trauma, especially in poor nations with minimal mental healthcare? In 2005, Dutch sociotherapist Cora Dekker developed an affordable, effective method in collaboration with the diocese of Byumba of the Anglican church. This approach, originally used by qualified staff in western clinics to treat military personnel and asylum seekers, was transformed into volunteer work involving trained therapists from local African communities. In Rwanda it is known as Mvura Nkuvure: “I heal you, you heal me.” More than 64,000 Rwandans have completed the therapy.
The PBS NewsHour broadcast a story (9 minute video with transcript) from Rwanda to assess the after-effects of the genocide. The video has some disturbing images.
posted by JDC8 at 8:55 AM on April 10
posted by JDC8 at 8:55 AM on April 10
I don't even know how you'd forgive in that sort of environment, with that sort of crime. But that's the point of the therapy then - to take that hopeless thing and give it some movement.
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:11 AM on April 10 [4 favorites]
posted by drewbage1847 at 9:11 AM on April 10 [4 favorites]
Possibly relevant previously,
"Niyitegaka told the soldiers that, whether in life or in death, she would remain with the Tutsis she had sheltered. Singing and chanting, she followed them onto the buses, which headed for the notorious Commune Rouge, a public cemetery that served as a killing field. There, alongside her Tutsi friends, Niyitegeka was slain by an assassin’s bullet." On the motivations of rescuers in the Rwandan genocide.
posted by Rumple at 10:02 AM on April 10 [6 favorites]
"Niyitegaka told the soldiers that, whether in life or in death, she would remain with the Tutsis she had sheltered. Singing and chanting, she followed them onto the buses, which headed for the notorious Commune Rouge, a public cemetery that served as a killing field. There, alongside her Tutsi friends, Niyitegeka was slain by an assassin’s bullet." On the motivations of rescuers in the Rwandan genocide.
posted by Rumple at 10:02 AM on April 10 [6 favorites]
The group listen carefully and one statement recurs: “They have suffered, too.”
I was hoping I'd read something like this in this article. Perhaps ironically, realizing this is the very birth of healing for the speaker, recognizing the suffering of others.
posted by somebodystrousers at 11:02 AM on April 10 [3 favorites]
I was hoping I'd read something like this in this article. Perhaps ironically, realizing this is the very birth of healing for the speaker, recognizing the suffering of others.
posted by somebodystrousers at 11:02 AM on April 10 [3 favorites]
That was really hard to read (I had to skim parts of it). I have a lot of really complicated feelings about this but I appreciate the post.
posted by an octopus IRL at 1:38 PM on April 10
posted by an octopus IRL at 1:38 PM on April 10
Al Jazeera Magazine did pieces on this a few years ago.
posted by dobbs at 3:10 PM on April 10 [1 favorite]
posted by dobbs at 3:10 PM on April 10 [1 favorite]
Wow, what an incredible article. Thank you for sharing
posted by ellerhodes at 4:49 PM on April 10 [1 favorite]
posted by ellerhodes at 4:49 PM on April 10 [1 favorite]
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How do you end bitter fights between enemies? Remind them people are people everywhere, increase ties between them, and give anyone who has nothing to lose and everything to gain something to lose.
posted by rubatan at 8:48 AM on April 10 [4 favorites]