‘If you would know me and you really know yourself you would not have killed me’ it says at the entrance of the genocide museum in Kigali. Agreed, and that is why Humanium is present here to conduct our workshops on children’s rights twice per year. As mental health professionals we meet teachers, parents, children, old & sick as well as government officials. They tell us their stories like ‘When I was 11 years old genocide happened, my parents ran away and I was the eldest of 8 more siblings that I looked after and tried to keep safe. Until today I have a huge tummy ache when I see my mom, a Muzunghu (white human) said I must forgive her.’ Humanium believes that healing starts with true listening, so we listen and we don’t stop there, no, we help building little groups of friends and pass on the tools we use. Feeling truly heard, being seen just as vulnerable as we all are, each of us with our unique life experiences, needs, challenges and wishes, anchors ourselves in our bodies in the here and now. Becoming present for yourself and others helps slowly integrate the trauma from another time, keeping the children of today safer, wishing to stop violence through kindness.
Humanium visits the same people over five years at least, helping to slowly heal their life experiences. Humanium does not stop there–we listen to the needs of today and the dreams for a better tomorrow. We also supply school materials and micro-finance projects with the neediest; joining forces with our local partner because we firmly believe:
Together we are strong !
Written by Arndt Soret
