Integrating and African-Centred Clinical Pastoral Therapy Approach to the Healing of Women Survivors of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide: A Personal Dialogue

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to understand the impact of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide on seven female survivors and how those survivors dealt with issues of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Another aim was to determine what these women’s lives are like now, how they have been coping with their trauma and issues, what helped them cope with trauma, and how an integrated African-centred clinical pastoral therapy approach might help bring healing to them. This research used a heuristic and phenomenological methodology. This approach tapped into my own experiences as a wounded researcher. Findings included the coming together of the traumatized women to share their stories and experiences, how they cried and comforted one another, and how they sang and prayed together. These experiences made a great difference in the lives of these surviving women. Some have healed, others saw their traumatic pain reduced, and others still struggle with PTSD. This form of group counseling has involved the development of an integrated and African-centred clinical and pastoral approach that promotes the reduction of trauma and facilitated healing. African-centred traditional practices, such as Agaciro and Ubuntu, and acknowledgement of respected elders known as Bazehe, combined with sensitive and informed adaptations of Western Pastoral Counselling practices, suggest that this approach not only leads to healing or reduced pain but involves components, such as repentance, forgiveness, spiritual growth, reconciliation, and peace, that Rwandan people need for unity, stability, and development.