90 Bicycles for IBUKA Volunteers
IBUKA means remember. The NGO was founded in 1995 to represent genocide survivors in Rwanda nationwide.
90 Bicycles for IBUKA Volunteers
IBUKA means remember. The NGO was founded in 1995 to represent genocide survivors in Rwanda nationwide. Today IBUKA acts as an umbrella organization for 15 members.
IBUKA works in three thematic areas: genocide prevention, memorial culture, and trauma and conflict processing in Rwandan and international contexts. Volunteers and psychologists support genocide survivors through clinical and psychological counseling; survivors receive free legal advice, and a memorial site is being established in Nyanza (Kigali) with survivor testimonies.
Project for Processing Social Conflicts in the Districts of Huye, Gisagara and Nyagururu
Initial Situation
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 1994 genocide. Rwandan society is clearly shaped by its consequences. Perpetrators and victims once again live in closest proximity on the hills, with unprocessed past sometimes violently erupting. The high traumatization rate of the population and the lack of processing opportunities, especially on the perpetrators’ side, contribute to outbreaks of violence. There is an increase in gender-based violence, and often unresolved land issues are the subject of social conflicts. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the affected parties lack knowledge or access to mediating institutions.
APS (Animateur Psychosocial)
The concept of volunteer counselors is widespread in the Great Lakes region. The volunteers, who live in villages and have close access to the population, receive training on specific topics that enable them to provide advisory support to their environment in conflict situations. The APS are
networked with each other and
receive regular supervision.
IBUKA offers a combined APS
training for methods of trauma and civil conflict processing.
The Project
At the end of 2012, the project for “Processing Social Conflicts in the Southern Province” was initiated in cooperation with the Civil Peace Service.
Within this framework, 90 APS were trained in trauma and conflict processing themes, who since then have supported the community on the hills on a voluntary basis in the peaceful processing of intrapersonal (e.g., trauma) and interpersonal (e.g., between multiple parties) conflicts.
Thanks to this project, over 2000 cases related to trauma or conflicts could be treated. 39% of cases are attributable to gender-based violence, 19% deal with land conflicts, 14% economic problems, and 23% deal with concrete trauma cases. Often the causes of conflicts and trauma can be traced back to the genocide of ’94. In addition to treating private cases, the APS have also established groups where perpetrators and victims meet, forgive each other to continue living in peace in the community. Especially during the difficult genocide commemoration period, the APS are an immense support for the population on the hills. They accompany traumatized people through the commemoration period, conduct therapeutic conversations, and apply practical relaxation exercises.
The Story of Francine and APS Judith
Francine is 31 and a genocide survivor. She is married to a Hutu whose uncle, who had spent 15 years in prison for his participation in the genocide, did not want to accept any Tutsi in his family. He threatened to kill her until one day he chased her with a machete. Only through the brave intervention of her husband, mother-in-law, and some neighbors could a catastrophe be prevented. Since that day, Francine suffered from immense anxiety, insomnia, distrust, and memories of ’94 gave her no peace. Additionally, the relationship with her husband, who was under his uncle’s influence, deteriorated. Together, the couple took the step to volunteer Judith, who was known as an APS in the area. Since the uncle could not be dissuaded from his ideology, the couple, with Judith’s help, involved the police, resulting in a one-year prison sentence. During this time, Judith intensively cared for Francine, her husband, and the entire family. New trust could be built, Francine learned methods for stress and trauma management. After his release from prison, the uncle asked for forgiveness and thanks to Judith’s help, Francine was able to accept this apology. Today she lives happily with her husband.
Bicycles for 90 Volunteers
To continue working sustainably, transportation to the APS clients, in most cases destitute women, farmers and peasants, must be ensured. Often the volunteer helpers, who themselves often perform very poorly paid activities if at all, take very long walks on foot to help people on the hills. Especially in the 20th year after the genocide, breakdowns, conflicts and relapses are to be expected, with the APS representing a supporting pillar. So that they can continue to successfully make their important contribution to peace and reconciliation at the community level in the future, the Partnership Rhineland-Palatinate / Rwanda supports the project with a bicycle for each volunteer – a wish that was brought to the project coordination from the ranks of the APS. Motivation and XY to continue working successfully.
Support the work of the APS as part of the 20th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda. A contribution for sustainable peace in the region.
Bank details: Rheinland-Pfalz Bank, BIC: SOLADEST600
General project account: IBAN: DE93 6005 0101 7401 5021 93
with the reference “Bicycles for IBUKA”
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CONTACT
Association Partnership Rhineland-Palatinate / Rwanda
Schillerstraße 9
66116 Mainz
Michael Nieden
Head of Office
Tel:06131 – 16 3356
Fax: 06131 – 16 3459
E-Mail: michael.nieden@isim.rlp.de
