One of the major influences of peace and reconciliation has come through the women of the country. In a desire to bring and maintain peace and reconciliation women put aside the emotive and divisive labels of Tutsi, Hutu or Twa and began sitting together to weave baskets. In the process the shared their lives: their pains, their hopes and dreams and they found a commonality that brought them together as people and that began a process of transforming the society.These baskets (‘Agaseke’ in kinyarwandan) are distinctive and unique to Rwanda and have become known as ‘peace baskets’ and symbolise “Escorting Each Other Along the Path of Peace”. The basket features on the Coat of Arms of the country and represents hope for a future that is peaceful and united.
The country and her people are well on the way to this reality. Today’s Rwanda is a modern day Phoenix: whilst the ashes remain as a reminder of destruction they also serve to point to renewal and reformation. Beauty has risen and is rising from the ashes.
The Salvation Army too, is a image of the transformation of a country and people. In the past fourteen years, since the genocide the Army has been established and grown in the country and spread to Burundi. Today there are 8 Corps (churches), 2 Outposts, 1,200 Senior Soldiers, 900 Junior Soldiers, 1,000 ‘Other’ adult Members.
The newest corps (‘living church’ the regional commander called it) is in the village of Gituro, which was the site of the emergency projects which began last year, and there are plans underway to open 2 outposts in the area soon. Over 100 people attend this church for worship with over 20 adults and 16 children becoming full members.
Today The Salvation Army Home League in the village of Gituro continues to be engaged in the process of peace and reconciliation, as well as income generation, by making and selling peace baskets in their community, and building foundations of healthy community with their neighbours.
