Model and Strategy
Thousands of women were brutally raped during the Rwandan genocide, many became pregnant as a result.
Dealing with physical injuries, social stigma, shame, and loss of family members, these women struggle to bring up
their children born of rape – a constant reminder of their traumatic experiences. This project brings community
based counseling groups, run by trained Rwandese counselors, to communities where the women live,so they can
meet others with similar experiences. The groups provide a safe space to share stories, address trauma, improve
the relationship with their child, and explore ways to talk with their child about their birth history. It will also bring
group counseling to the youth born of rape who know their birth circumstances to increase social support networks.
The project will also provide holistic support including schools fees and HIV testing for youth, and indirectly
increase the wellbeing of other family members and improve community cohesion.
Impact
FR’s community counseling initiative is the first of its kind for women with children born of rape in Rwanda.
Community counseling groups can improve the individuals’ lives by reducing trauma which can lead to a more
productive and fulfilled life. The mothers continue to meet after the formal support has finished, building a support
network within the community and improved communication and relationships with their children grow over time.
The impact extends with improved relationships with husbands and other children, thus reducing family conflict.
Many women go on to participate more fully in community life, as a result of being less fearful of others in the
community and feeling more self worth and have the confidence to begin small businesses or other income
generating activities to contribute to their child’s schooling. Ultimately this contributes to social cohesion and
reconciliation within communities. With less turmoil at home and a more secure sense of self, the youth will go on
to lead more productive lives with increased focus and motivation at school and a sense of purpose and hope for
the future.
Since the pilot project in 2012 for 40 women, the community counseling initiative has been expanded to give 420
women the opportunity to attend community counseling groups (with 6 groups currently ongoing). There are many
more women who want and need the support so this award would allow us to replicate the proven model of
psychotherapeutic support to a further 250 women. In addition, it would allow us to formalize a counseling program
for the youth to scaleup our existing activities. Over a period of 18 months, the project activities will impact 550
people directly and at least another 800 indirectly within families and the community. Once the women have
finished the program, they are encouraged to share their experience of counseling with other mothers in the
community so the indirect benefit becomes even more far reaching.
Leadership
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Jules Shell
Co-founder and Executive Director