Church opens Rwf40m counselling centre

KAYONZA - The Rwanda Protestant Counsel (CPR) a centre offering specialized counselling services, last Saturday commissioned a new branch in Kayonza town. The facility worth Rwf40 million was financed by Norwegian Church Aid. “This is an important centre that will cater for all forms of trauma in post-Genocide Rwandan society. Counselling is an important component of reconciliation that few have come to appreciate. It is thus rare for donors to sponsor it,” Clemency Bideri, the Programme coordinator for the Norwegian Church Aid said. One of the CPR leaders, Tharcise Gatwa reiterated the importance of counselling services in post-Genocide Rwanda. “Many Rwandans were traumatised by the Genocide, which is why, the church thought it wise to have a social and psychological counselling centre. It started in Kigali and now we are moving to reach upcountry,” he said. The Kayonza district Vice-Mayor in charge of social affairs, Annette Mutesi, said the centre will offer an opportunity for many traumatised children in the district to receive counselling. “We have been experiencing problems of traumatised students in schools… especially during the commemoration days. There is no doubt that we shall seek help here in the near future,” she said. Ends