Residents of Gicumbi District have commended the introduction of socio-therapy, saying it has played a key role in reuniting several families in communities.

Socio- therapy is a community-based traditional way of counselling people with personality disorders characterised by domestic violence, abusive and neglectful experiences.

The programme was initiated by the Anglican Church of Byumba Diocese in 2009.

Over 1,000 people have completed a counselling session. Some of the beneficiaries told The New Times that the introduction of socio-therapy has drastically mended relations in several homes.

Marie Rose Mukamana ,55, had separated from her husband due to ethnic division.

 "I lived a miserable life in my marriage, and I thought I would never get a remedy. I lived in isolation... my husband was always being told to divorce me because of my ethnic background and he later left me during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis,” she said.

Mukamana added that she thought she would never forgive her husband but after her introduction to the therapy, she received counselling and managed to win back her husband who she presently lives with happily.

The programme coordinator, Emmanuel Sarabwe, revealed that there are currently 600 social groups with each comprises 10-15 participants and at least two well trained facilitators.

Over12,000 residents have benefited from the programme.

The groups are formed according to individual status depending mainly on demography and marital status.

Ends