Children’s views on forgiveness

“People should not commit crimes out of ignorance.” Eric Kayiranga, 10, St Famielle Primary School, P 5. “There is no need to forgive people who killed and have never asked for forgiveness from those people they hurt. They do not need to be forgiven until they ask for forgiveness.” Emmanuel Sibomana, 10, Kicukiro Primary School, P4. “The Bible tells us to forgive our enemies. We should forgive and for punishment, it is God’s role to punish wrong doers.” Francois Mbarushimana, 13, Kicukiro Primary School, P 6. “Sometimes when you are playing with other children you fight and sometimes you hurt each other but it takes no minute to forgive your friend and you continue playing with each other as if nothing happened between you.” Jean Paul Hakizimana, 11, St Famielle Primary School, P 5. . “I can’t forgive the people who killed my relatives because they did it intentionally and it was not by accident but they planned and applied their bad ideas.” Jean Claude Musonera, 15. “Forgiveness depends on who is asking for forgiveness because there some people who just say, ‘I am sorry’ when they do not mean it from their hearts and there are other people who mean it. These are the ones who should be forgiven. ” Patrick Nikiwatanze, 13, De Amis Primary School, P 4. “I can only forgive someone who feels what he or she has doneis not good if they come to say, ‘I am sorry for what I did’ and only if they promise you not to do it again.” Janvier Niyonkuru, 13. “When I do wrong, I ask for forgiveness because it makes punishment lighter as compared to when I don’t ask for forgiveness.” Lionelle Jean, 12, Kingdom Primary School, P 4. Ends