The Power of Forgiveness: Jeanne and Fidele’s Journey of Healing and Reconciliation

Jeanne and Fidele’s story is one of pain, trauma, and ultimately, forgiveness. It’s a powerful reminder of the long and difficult journey that many in Rwanda continue to walk, even decades after the Rwandan Genocide Against the Tutsi in 1994. The two share a painful past—Fidele was part of the group that killed Jeanne’s husband. For many years, Jeanne lived with deep anger and suffering, feeling that imprisonment was not enough punishment for Fidele. Yet, through a series of transformative events, both Jeanne and Fidele found a path to reconciliation, healing, and mutual support.

A Painful Past

The Rwandan Genocide was a time of unimaginable violence, where neighbours turned against each other. For Jeanne, the pain of losing her husband was compounded by the fact that many of those responsible for the deaths of her loved ones were people she had lived alongside. Jeanne carried with her a heavy burden of grief and anger.

Fidele, too, was left to deal with the shame and fear that came with his past. After serving time in prison for his role in the genocide and participating in community service, he returned to his village. He was isolated and unable to face the people he had wronged, especially Jeanne.

The Turning Point: Empower

The turning point in their journey came when Fidele participated in the Empower program. This program, which focuses on forgiveness and trauma healing, helped him confront his past and find the courage to approach Jeanne. After completing the workshop, he worked up the courage and visited her house, where he asked for her forgiveness.

Jeanne, though initially unable to forgive him wholeheartedly, soon found herself on her own journey of healing through her participation in the Empower program. As she learned to deal with her trauma and slowly soften her heart, Jeanne began to see that forgiveness was not just for the benefit of the perpetrator, but for her own peace.

Building Trust and Rebuilding Relationships

Soon after, Jeanne and Fidele became part of a Resilience Cell Group (RCG)—a community of Empower participants who came together to support each other and engage in collective activities. Through shared efforts like farming on each other’s land, Jeanne and Fidele began to rebuild their trust and connection. One key moment of their healing journey came when Jeanne and Fidele received a cow from CARSA’s Cow for Peace initiative. Raising the cow together helped them bond further, and it became a symbol of their growing relationship.

As time passed, Jeanne reached a point where she could publicly forgive Fidele. During a recent visit to Rwanda, we were able to witness the power of forgiveness in action. In front of the RCG, Jeanne stood and asked Fidele to rise. She embraced him and, with a full heart, said, “I give you deep forgiveness from my heart, and now we will journey together.”

The Wider Impact on the Community

The transformation of Jeanne and Fidele’s relationship had a profound impact on their community. Jeanne shared, “Those who see our activity together, it’s a big lesson for them....Our trauma has gone away.”

The unity Jeanne and Fidele share today serves as hope for those around them. Their reconciliation has inspired others to confront their own pain and consider the possibility of forgiveness.

Jeanne and Fidele’s journey reminds us that reconciliation is not a quick or easy process, but it is one that can transform lives. It shows that forgiveness, while incredibly difficult, is instrumental in healing not just individual wounds but also entire communities.