The Reconciliation Village: Remarkable Stories of Transformation in Rwanda

There is nothing that speaks to the power of forgiveness like the Reconciliation Village: Perpetrators and victims who came face-to-face during the brutal events of the genocide have chosen to acknowledge the mistakes of the past and commit to living out the future together in peace. They have, in fact, gone beyond forgiveness. They have made a choice not only to move forward, but also to move forward together as neighbors and friends. It seems impossible. It is, without God’s presence in the hearts and minds of Rwandans. It is God’s grace, provision, and amazing love now reflected in the lives of the villagers that makes these communities of reconciliation grow and thrive. Reconciliation is the key to restoring Rwanda in the aftermath of the genocide.

Thanks to Prison Fellowship Rwanda and several partner organizations, Rwanda is now home to 5 Reconciliation Villages scattered throughout the rural countryside. Villagers care for one another, tend to crops and livestock (particularly cows and goats) together, and sell the products from their farms in the markets to earn a profit. They create small businesses together that ensure sustainable livelihoods. They are trained in efficient and effective farming methods; they participate in reconciliation workshops hosted by PFR; and they hold one another accountable in God’s love. PFR visits the villages regularly to assess developments and needs and to encourage and pray for the residents. PFR continues to partner with Norwegian Church Aid and other organizations to make these villages successful communities that embody peace, transformation, and economic well-being.

During a recent visit to one village, the PFR staff was reminded of the power of forgiveness and reconciliation as we heard the stories of Leanard Rucyogazo, a genocidaire who had participated in mass militia destruction during the genocide, and Louis Umamungo, one of his victims. They are pictured together in the second picture. Leanard, now 60 years old, described the destructive ideology that prevailed in 1994, the anger and hatred that provoked him to kill 4 people with his bare hands and countless others as a participant in mobs, and what compelled him to understand his actions and ask for forgiveness.

Their Stories

After the genocide, Leanard spent 7 ½ years in prison. Faced with overcrowding and a broken nation, government officials began to enter the prisons and encourage offenders to ask for forgiveness. Leanard did not understand this request: What is forgiveness? Why should I ask my victims for forgiveness? PFR visited the prison where he had been staying, and only when Leanard heard about the reality of God’s presence and of Christ’s life on Earth did he truly understand what it means to forgive. Leanard accepted Christ, asked for forgiveness, was released from prison, and began a life centered on reconciliation. His story is remarkable evidence of God’s undying love and prevailing intervention in the lives of perpetrators.

Louis, one of his victims, witnessed the atrocities committed by Leanard and others. She lost 16 family members in the genocide. In the aftermath of the conflict, she wanted revenge on those who had harmed her and her family. She was angry that the government was offering offenders an opportunity to be released from prison. This is when the Umuvumu Tree Project (UTP), one of PFR’s initiatives to teach offenders and victims about the importance of forgiveness, changed Louis’s heart. Through UTP, Louis learned about the necessity of forgiveness. Armed with Christ’s love, she viewed her offenders in a different light. She learned to forgive them and to ask for repentance. She told PFR that when a person repents, they are healed of trauma; as a result, she and Leanard can tell their stories to others. They hope to do so with the help of PFR.

PFR continues to build more houses in these villages, which now have anywhere from 20 to 100 homes.

What you can do to help:

>Pray for the perpetrators and victims living in the reconciliation villages. Pray that they continue to seek God’s will for their lives, understand His love, and live out His grace as they live and work together.

>Pray for the God’s direction and guidance for the PFR staff who continue to teach about reconciliation and productive cooperation in the villages. Pray also that PFR receives the financial support needed to continue to improve the lives of residents of the reconciliation villages.

>Make a financial contribution for one or more of the following:

-Construction of more houses in the reconciliation villages

-Clothing for adults and children who live in the villages

-Umuvumu Tree Project training materials

-Electricity and running water for the homes in the villages

-Cows and goats, used for nourishment and sold for income

>Continue to visit PFR’s blog to stay up-to-date on happenings in the Reconciliation Villages.

Contact us at info@pfrwanda.org or grace.pfrwanda@gmail.com with questions or to find out more about how you can participate in what God is doing in the Reconciliation Villages!