The commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi has played a big role in healing genocide-induced trauma despite the fact that during the commemoration period the survivors relive the memories of 28 years ago.

This was revealed by Dr. Assumpta Muhayisa, the Executive Director for Memory and Genocide Prevention at Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE).

"During the commemoration period, survivors are able to share their testimonies and this helps in the healing process. It has restored the hearts of those who used to live with trauma and this also triggered others to seek help to avoid various mental health diseases,” said Muhayisa, who is also a clinical psychologist.

She was speaking during a night vigil known as ‘Umugoroba wo Kwibuka’ on April 7 which was this year held virtually in line with the measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The night is normally held at the stadium but this year it was aired on national television and different radio stations in the country.

The panel discussion focused on the measures to fight trauma and healing Genocide wounds.

Egide Nkuranga, the president of Ibuka, the umbrella organisation for Genocide survivors pointed out that trauma-related topics had to be a priority during the commemorating period to ensure the survivors’ trauma continues to heal.

"During commemoration, the number of trauma tend to rise because before this period, most of the survivors are busy with their everyday activities but April is always a nightmare to them and therefore such discussions strengthen them and make some to speak up. This is part of healing,” he said

In addition, he said that apart from gaining strength and comfort, such talks activate those in need to seek professional mental health support.

Nelly Umulisa Rurangwa, the deputy chairperson of Rwanda We Want, a youth-led organisation, said that even the children who were born after the Genocide were affected to the extent some get trauma.

She revealed that her NGO is running different programmes to help the youth deal with the impact of the Genocide on mental health.

Yvonne Kayiteshonga, Mental Health Division Manager at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) said that people who were most affected by Genocide are the survivors saying there are many sources of trauma going by experiences many had during the genocide. 

"What they went through during the Genocide has affected them mentally and some live with such issues for life whenever nothing is done for them,” she said

Explaining why some survivors do not speak out, she revealed that it is caused by how people were treated before and after Genocide during their healing process.

She said that in order to help them heal, they have made it a priority and deployed mental health specialists to all hospitals among other measures.