Healing is a process. In a country like Rwanda which experienced a Genocide in 1994, it is obvious that her population faces many consequences and mostly trauma that comes along with different forms of effects.
This is why Rwandan communities should work collectively by reinforcing considerable initiatives and aspects to enable recovery processes of Transgenerational Trauma among young generations.
Transmission of trauma which is passed out genetically is a crucial challenge that is impacting young people who were born after the genocide yet they even never witnessed horrible situations or they were too young when such events took place.
In particular, bringing together both communities of Genocide perpetrators and survivors is paramount in the fight against the transmission of trauma among the young generation.
The integration of both communities will foster social cohesion amongst their children.
This initiative will be supplemented by the existing efforts by the government of Rwanda to reconcile Rwandans through the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission which is using various homegrown approaches.
They consist of solidarity camps ‘Ingando’ as a civic education that facilitates the smooth reintegration of ex-far soldiers, released prisoners back to their communities inclusively; 'Itorero ry’Igihugu' to instill moral values of integrity, and capacity to deal with one’s problems; ‘Gacaca’ as a traditional Rwandan restorative justice which has been revived to deal with a backlog of genocide cases; Community mediators for conflict resolutions purposes; 'Umuganda' as traditional community support to both individual and national cause in the interest of national reconstruction; one cow per poor family ‘Girinka’ as a program that was initiated by President Kagame, aiming to eradicate malnutrition, poverty in line with strengthening social cohesion.
As some of the genocide convicts are completing their prison terms and reintegrating into society, this initiative will contribute to ensuring a happy, harmonized, and trauma-free society.
Also, arts programs can be used in a form of portraying messages and information for therapeutic, educational, and expressive purposes.
Research demonstrates that art is a healing force that can be combined with healthcare facilities that include music, performing arts, dancing, digital art, and design among others by enhancing coping of patient’s level of anxiety, depression thus leading to their healing satisfaction.
According to art therapists, art allows their clients to transcend their emotional pain as a method of creating a narrative through the image of their trauma or loss, thereby releasing the painful memory from its grip in the brain.
Therefore, art therapy is a healing tool due to its source of hope, the creation of a connection, self-exploration, belonging, and joy.
Moreover, free psychological Hub centers for safe spaces and dialogues should be created. This initiative will provide an opportunity for young people to express and share their ideas, ordeals, experiences with their fellow peers in safe environments whereby they never feel prejudiced for being vulnerable.
Additionally, those psychological hub centers would serve as focal points for young generations by providing them with information, guidance, support, and mentorship on mental health subjects and other related matters.
For instance, libraries can be one of these community centers/ hubs by helping them get the information they need because it is more likely that youngsters gather across the neighborhood to consult the place, not only being a place for books or relaxation but also a place that improves their skills on capacity building and knowledge.
Healing initiatives should be established to ensure communities of young people are involved in sustainable solutions to mitigate trauma challenges for the new generation that is more prone to trauma transmitted by their parents.
There is also a need for mental health experts and researchers to play their role in providing solutions and advisory services regarding transgenerational trauma.
The author is economist, writer, and poet.