T H A R S
Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services
Healing from the Heart of Africa
The seeds of tomorrow's wars grow in the soil of today's unhealed traumas. The seeds of tomorrow’s peace grow in the soil of today’s healing and reconciliation.
What's New
Called to Relate: An interview with David Niyonzima
Etude Sur Les Besoins En Accompagnement Psychosocial Des Victimes Lors Du Processus De LaJustice Transitionnelle – Phase 1 (French only)
THARS Biannual Report for 2010-2011 is available in the Reading Room
Welcome to THARS!
THARS (Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Services) is pioneering a new path to peace by providing resources for trauma healing and reconciliation in Burundi and the African Great Lakes Region.
For the past 40 years, Burundi and the surrounding African Great Lakes Region have experienced civil war, refugee problems and genocidal episodes. THARS (Trauma Healing And Reconciliation Services) is a group of psychosocial practitioners and peacemakers with headquarters in Bujumbura, Burundi. THARS practitioners contribute to healing and peacemaking in the Great Lakes Region of Africa using a holistic approach to psychosocial healing and resolution of differences for people in all walks of life. Our clients' stories of healing are a testament to the human spirit.
Launched in 2000, THARS conducts workshops, operates “listening centers”,
and facilitates
support groups. In 2002, the Government of Burundi registered THARS as
an independent, non-profit, inter-faith organization.
David Niyonzima,
Legal Representative and graduate of George Fox University’s M.A.
program in counseling, coordinates the THARS staff.
He serves as
clinical intervention supervisor and trainer, along with an organized
support team of seven staff members who are responsible for logistics, accounting,
program administration, referrals
and secretarial help. THARS
has emphasized: 1) raising awareness
and promoting sensitization, 2) training, and 3) clinical
intervention. [learn more...]
The THARS
approach is a new path to peace, planting seeds of healing and
reconciliation. At THARS we
serve not only the people we call the “clients”, but
the whole country of
Burundi in its transition from war to peace. We believe that
the positive change, healing, growth and strength of the population that
we see today come from the impact of our work on the mental health of
our members.
THARS Services
• Training for trainers, non-profit agencies and community leaders
• Counseling for individuals, groups and families
• Peace Clubs organized by community leaders
• Rehabilitation for victims of torture
• Listening Centers for trauma survivors
• Shelters for sexual assault survivors
• Child soldier counselling and reintegration
• Micro-loans for small business start ups
THARS projects have been supported by U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) for the
Victims Of Torture (VOT) project, a
cooperative effort with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which provides the many victims of torture
in Burundi with legal assistance, advocacy, reintegration and
psychosocial support.
Other supporters have included EU, Care International, UNICEF, Swiss Cooperation, Kindernothilfe, The International Committee for the Red Cross, North Seattle Friends Church, Norwegian Church Aid, Quaker Hilfe Germany, Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and private individuals.
THARS is now seeking funding to continue and expand its operations, [learn more...]
THARS is an English language web site, but also provides some documents in French, Kirundi and Swahili.
This website is provided through the generous support of the Charlottesville Friends Meeting, Virginia, USA and is designed by Jim Mustin, webmaster.