SOUTHERN PROVINCE MUHANGA — Trainees at Kavumu Teachers Training Centre have received lessons on unity and reconciliation ahead of their graduation. The head of the institute, Marie Chantal Uwera, said the lessons are meant to prepare them to combat the existing genocide ideology in schools since they start work in three months’ time. The two-day training which attracted 167 student teachers was facilitated by Pilgrim Centre for Healing and Reconciliation Ministries. During the training at ENP/TTC Kavumu, recently, participants were briefed on the history of genocide and its ideology, healing and reconciliation, the way forward, role of youth in development, and God’s will in their lives. “The beneficiaries are also the last graduation group before the institute is transformed into a college of education. It was found necessary to give such vital lessons to the students so that they can become pivotal in the fight against genocide ideology which is very evident in schools,” Uwera said. Rev. Pastor Paul Ndahingwa, the president of Pilgrim Centre for Healing and Reconciliation Ministries and official facilitator of the conference, told the youth to live a purpose driven life. “The pains of genocide affect everyone today. In order to make a step, we need to forgive each other and put our burdens to the Lord Jesus. This means having an analytical and positive thinking and fighting the existing genocide ideology,” Ndahingwa said. At the closure of the training, participants resolved to sensitize residents on unity and working as professional teachers to avoid spreading the genocide ideology amongst students. Pilgrim Centre facilitators promised to provide more training and monitor the impact of the training. Thy will also sponsor the participants tour the Kigali Genocide memorial site and empower unity and reconciliation clubs in each school in Muhanga. Ends
