Stories of Healing
These stories reflect the strength and healing of those impacted by THARS. Through their voices, we see how trauma care and community support can spark transformation and lasting peace.
Content Warning: The following content discusses suicide and domestic abuse. Please feel free to skip this section if it may be distressing.
Eric Ndayihimbaze
Once seen as a source of division and fear in Nyanza-Lac, 40-year-old Eric was a politically polarizing figure whose words and actions deepened rifts within his community. But everything changed when he attended a workshop led by the Alternatives to Violence Program (PAV).
In that transformative space, Eric came face to face with a man he had long considered his enemy. What could have reignited old hatred instead became a defining moment of courage—Eric chose forgiveness over vengeance. That single decision shattered years of animosity and opened a new path toward peace.
Today, Eric stands not as a symbol of conflict, but as a beacon of reconciliation. His community, once paralyzed by political fear, now engages in open, respectful dialogue. Though some of his former allies struggle to accept his transformation, Eric remains unwavering. He is no longer driven by division, but by a powerful commitment to healing, unity, and lasting peace. His story is living proof that even the hardest hearts can change—and that true strength lies in the courage to forgive.
Adelaïde Nizigiyimana
In 2006, Adelaïde found herself at a crossroads, burdened by the scars of a painful past and the hardships her country had endured. But her life took a remarkable turn when she joined the THARS association, an organization that became a lifeline in her healing journey.
Through THARS' transformative approach to overcoming trauma, Adelaïde began to rebuild her life, piece by piece. She was not only healed by their support, but also empowered by training in quilting, tailoring, and sewing. This new skill set led to her being hired by THARS to work on the SHONA project, a quilt-making initiative, where she contributed her creativity and expertise until 2012.
Today, Adelaïde’s story is one of profound resilience and service. She now works with the "Feeling for the Hungry" (FGW) project, dedicated to feeding vulnerable children in the BATTA community. Her work continues to inspire others, as she channels her own healing into helping the next generation. From a place of deep personal pain, Adelaïde has risen to become a powerful force for good, proving that trauma doesn’t define us—it’s the strength to heal and give back that shapes our true legacy.
Beatrice Nizigiyamana
For years, Beatrice Nizigiyamana, 34, from Nyanza-Lac, lived in the shadows of domestic abuse and trauma. Isolated and stigmatized by her community, she endured unimaginable pain—marked by multiple suicide attempts and a desperate search for hope. But in 2024, her life took a courageous turn when she attended a Healing of Memories session.
It was there that Beatrice began to reclaim her voice. The healing process wasn’t easy, but it gave her the strength to confront her past and begin the slow, determined work of recovery. The true breakthrough came when her husband joined the healing journey. In a moment that few thought possible, he acknowledged the harm he had caused and asked for forgiveness—an act that opened the door for healing not only between them, but within their community.
Today, Beatrice is no longer defined by her pain—she is a respected leader, a symbol of resilience and transformation. Her husband now serves as a local deputy chief, and together they advocate for reconciliation and mental health. Though some in the community remain skeptical of his change, Beatrice speaks with quiet strength: “Our remedy is psychological healing”—a path they chose to walk together.
Her story is a testament to the power of facing pain, embracing healing, and rewriting a future once thought lost.