Editor,

Refer to the story, "MoH gears up to support trauma victims during commemoration” (The New Times, April 1)

This is a good initiative by the Ministry of Health (MoH)—a far cry from way back in the late 90s and early 2000s when brutal Genocide images were shown on television during the day.

However, this effort seems to be directed at public gatherings, but in reality the trauma also lies behind walls in private homes.

I wish the MoH, in conjunction with religious institutions, would run public campaigns for those who encounter such cases.

I had a female house help who would get so traumatised, that she would run all over the compound weeping and hiding at the sound of radio during these commemorations. I remember feeling helpless and unsure on how to help in such a case. Eventually, we had to turn to her friends (she was an orphan) and, unfortunately, I lost touch as they moved from Kigali in 2004.

Kigali Girl