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Project Profile

Peace and Reconciliation – Rwanda

CBM partners with the Association of Baptist Churches in Rwanda (AEBR), offering support and assistance to tackle the issues of an over-burdened society coping with reconstruction and reconciliation. This project promotes positive change, and peace groups help overcome racism and prejudice and strengthen unity. Support this project through financial contributions and prayer.   

Cause:

Location

All provinces of Rwanda  

Field Staff:

Local Partner:

Association Des Églises Baptiste au Rwanda (AEBR)

The Situation

Rwanda is a nation diligently working to heal from a traumatic past. In 1994, approximately one million men, women, and children were killed systematically in ethnic violence. Effects of the genocide against the Tutsi and the moderate Hutu continue to be felt at many levels today, particularly among the generation left orphaned and traumatized by the atrocities of the conflict. Currently the most densely populated country in mainland Africa, roughly half of the population is under the age of 18. The nation has made remarkable progress towards good governance and helping the poor. Despite efforts made, poverty remains one of the main issues affecting nearly half of the population.

With such a history of conflict and discord, AEBR, in partnership with CBM, has been working towards promoting unity in communities across Rwanda, and training Christian leaders with servant hearts through peace groups and community outreach.    

CBM partners with the Association of Baptist Churches in Rwanda (AEBR), offering support and assistance to tackle the issues of an over-burdened society coping with reconstruction and reconciliation. This project promotes positive change, and peace groups help overcome racism and prejudice and strengthen unity. Support this project through financial contributions and prayer.   

The Situation

Rwanda is a nation diligently working to heal from a traumatic past. In 1994, approximately one million men, women, and children were killed systematically in ethnic violence. Effects of the genocide against the Tutsi and the moderate Hutu continue to be felt at many levels today, particularly among the generation left orphaned and traumatized by the atrocities of the conflict. Currently the most densely populated country in mainland Africa, roughly half of the population is under the age of 18. The nation has made remarkable progress towards good governance and helping the poor. Despite efforts made, poverty remains one of the main issues affecting nearly half of the population.

With such a history of conflict and discord, AEBR, in partnership with CBM, has been working towards promoting unity in communities across Rwanda, and training Christian leaders with servant hearts through peace groups and community outreach.    

How We Are Helping

Here are a few long-term, sustainable strategies CBM and the AEBR have developed to bring about positive change in Rwanda.     

Training leaders and discipleship  

Equipping and empowering local pastors who can encourage and bring development programs to life, teaching effective techniques of peace communication, and teaching proper COVID-19 government measures and practices.    

Gender equity  

Teaching women to know and defend their rights regarding family properties, business, and bank accounts, helping end family conflicts, and promoting mutual participation in community development.   

Community work and development  

Working together with other peace groups, building homes for the vulnerable, and fostering awareness in the community and among local leaders about peace and reconciliation activities.   

Photo of Rwandans posing for a photo
Photo of Rwandan pastors wearing medical masks

The Impact of Our Work

Jean Pierre is from the Bugesera district and is both a husband and a father of four. Before participating in the Peace and Reconciliation program, Jean Pierre struggled with isolation from, and prejudice towards, others in his community. After learning about peacebuilding and building strong relationships, he learned how to forgive others and resolve conflicts. Now, as a group leader in the project, he is serving together with others in his community and helping individuals and families towards reconciliation. Jean Pierre looks to the future favorably, knowing his thinking and actions have been transformed by the gospel and directed towards promoting unity in Bugesera district.   

Photo of a man by the mountainside
“Peace and Reconciliation helped me to be who I am today, it created my future development because of the teachings I got from it from the first time until now, helping me to build myself, my family, and my community where I am living.”

Jean Pierre Dukuzumuremyi   

Photo of Rwandan women worshipping
“The local leaders join the group members in the project activities carried out because they appreciate what the project achieves for the community. COVID-19 became a big challenge this year, but the groups continue to work.”