A Phenomenological study of the lived experiences of the Seventh-day Adventist second-generation genocide survivors in Rwanda : towards a strategy of inner healing from generational trauma

Abstract

Twenty-nine years after the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda, the Rwandans have made collective efforts to recover and heal from the genocide’s effects. However, many Rwandan survivors are still coping with the genocide’s trauma. Given the limited mental health resources of the country, it is practically impossible to meet all the needs of the traumatized. There is, therefore, a pressing need for an inner healing strategy to help the genocide survivors in Rwanda heal, for unresolved trauma has been transmitted across generations.

This project looked at the experiences of Seventh-day Adventist second- generation genocide survivors in Rwanda. The existing literature related to the problem—

books, articles, encyclopedias, and Scriptures—were reviewed to develop an effective

inner healing strategy. An inner healing strategy was developed to contribute to the emotional healing of Seventh-day Adventist second-generation genocide survivors in Rwanda. This strategy emphasizes seven inner healing tools. The practice of this inner healing strategy also emphasizes five steps. The inner healing strategy developed in this study will help me and the church leaders-trainees to develop skills for inner healing from generational trauma. It will provide awareness about the strategy for emotional healing to pastors and elders to help others find emotional healing. The church leaders’ training will help Seventh-day Adventist professionals in their job of promoting emotional healing. It will help the Rwanda Union Mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the country in general reduce the number of people suffering from generational trauma and facilitate reconciliation.