Joseph\u2019s transformation unexpectedly began when he joined a Youth Sociotherapy group in Jomba Sector, Nyabihu District. Sociotherapy is part of a broader societal healing programme led by Interpeace in partnership with Prison Fellowship Rwanda, Haguruka, and Dignity in Detention \u2014 implemented from 2022 to 2025 with support from the Government of Sweden. Sociotherapy is a community-based psychosocial support approach that provides safe spaces for individuals to share, listen, and heal together.<\/p>\n
Through open dialogue, self-reflection, mutual support, and guided reflection, Joseph began to confront his traumatic past.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the first time, I understood the pain I was carrying,\u201d he says. \u201cThe sessions on care and safety made me realise how much I had passed my suffering on to others. From that moment, I decided to change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gradually, Joseph stopped using drugs and alcohol. He reached out to those he had wronged, seeking forgiveness and making amends. His violent outbursts faded, replaced by empathy and accountability. By the end of the six-month Sociotherapy stages, Joseph had become a respected voice in his community \u2014 the same community that once feared him.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen he came to ask for my forgiveness, I thought I was dreaming,\u201d says a neighbour we found helping Joseph with farm work. \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe he had become humble and kind. I forgave him, and now we are close friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community members and leaders began to trust Joseph again, recognising his commitment to peace. His exemplary behaviour earned him three leadership roles within the village committee.<\/p>\n
At home, his family life underwent a transformation. His wife and children \u2014 once living in fear \u2014 now speak of safety and hope. To mark this new chapter, Joseph chose to legalise his marriage and celebrate it in the local ADEPER church, reconciling with his faith.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe listens now. He helps around the house. We talk and laugh. I feel loved and cared for,\u201d Godelieve says with a smile.<\/p>\n
Across 140 community healing groups in five districts, over 2,000 people have begun their healing journey as part of the Societal Healing Programme that has boosted resilience by 9%, emotional well-being by 24%, and self-management by nearly 30%.<\/p>\n
Levels of trust and forgiveness among community members have also grown, paving the way for stronger social cohesion.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.interpeace.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Josephs-story-Rwanda1-756x500.png\")
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The Ripple Effect of Healing<\/strong><\/p>\n Joseph\u2019s transformation brought renewed harmony into his household and strengthened the couple\u2019s livelihood. Together, they bought land to grow food, a cow to provide milk for their children, and manure to enrich their soil.<\/p>\n Once feared and despised, Joseph is now someone others \u2014 especially young people and couples in conflict \u2014 turn to for advice and encouragement. Drawing on his own story, he helps them reflect on their behaviour and accept responsibility for their actions.<\/p>\n So far, he has helped five couples in his neighbourhood resolve their disputes and rebuild trust.<\/p>\n \u201cJoseph\u2019s case proves that healing is possible when people are given safe spaces to talk, reflect and reconnect,\u201d says a local leader.<\/p>\n Once a threat to social harmony, Joseph is now a source of hope, a living reminder that when individuals heal, entire communities can begin to thrive.<\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"featured_media":17949,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","editor_plus_copied_stylings":"{}","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"globales":[],"initiatives":[],"language":[65],"programmes":[74],"programme_resources":[],"resource-type":[],"resource_theme":[514,508],"videos_vimeo":[],"resources_categories":[],"class_list":["post-17947","resource","type-resource","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","language-english","programmes-rwanda","resource_theme-civil-society","resource_theme-mhpss"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n