Success in Kimonyi Reconciliation Village

Over the past five years, with the help of our partner Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) PFR has built over 438 homes in five reconciliation villages throughout Rwanda in an initiative entitled the Umuvumu Tree Project. These villages are a place for ex-combatants, ex-prisoners, and genocide survivors alike to live together again in peace.

PFR emphasizes the importance of ‘practical reconciliation’, the idea that true reconciliation can only be achieved through social and economic development, without which tensions can fester. PFR therefore not only provides houses, but also agricultural projects and education. Ntirenganiya’s story below is a real testament to the positive transformations occurring within these villages.

Proud Ntirenganiya feels ‘blessed to be able to study again’

Ntirenganiya’s education was halted by the 1994 genocide, he was only 13 years old and still in Primary 1. When the genocide ended, he longed to continue his education but did not have enough money to pay for even the most basic of school fees. Three months ago, Ntirenganiya became a member of the Kimonyi reconciliation village and began attending literacy classes. He says: ‘I have already noticed many benefits in my life. I can now go to the market and sell things and I can now make financial transactions, understand the concepts of business better from basic math. This is already helping me become more successful in my daily life.’

It is not always easy, Ntirenganiya explains that he finds Mathematics, and particularly multiplication very challenging but with the help of their proud teacher, Thomas, the class continues to steadily improve. Thomas demonstrates the commitment of the class to their studies when he explains: ‘they are so eager to learn, and therefore they are always punctual. They work very hard to attend class regularly.’

Thomas enjoys teaching a class full of dedicated and willing students

Ntirenganiya’s educational development is only a small part of a much bigger picture. He describes living in the village like living in a family and says: ‘they accept you as you are. There are some hardships still but not like before in other places where I was living. Where I used to live, nobody could talk about reconciliation, but now we talk about it and feel it every day. Unity feels normal.’

The reconciliation villages built by PFR and NCA create space for people to live, work, and learn together, allowing reconciliation to occur on many different levels. Education is a vital part of this process because, as demonstrated by Ntirenganiya’s story, even a basic education can drastically improve daily lives. Education provides the grounding for future economic development and when people no longer need to worry about providing for themselves and their families, they can concentrate on their relationships with each other and with God.

The students of Kimonyi Literacy Class have even been asking for an increased number of lessons and want to expand the class from a six-month class to a full year, a sure sign of the benefits these classes provide. If you would like to get involved or make a donation towards this expansion please visit our website at www.pfrwanda.org or email us: info@pfrwanda.org.