Welcoming Rachel Bugenimana: Honorary Compassionate Listening Facilitator

We are honored to welcome Rachel Bugenimana as an honorary Compassionate Listening Facilitator. A dedicated peacebuilder since 1997, Rachel holds a Master of Divinity in Counseling from the Nairobi International School of Theology (NIST) in Kenya.

Rachel began her work within the Society of Friends (Quakers), where she mediated between women survivors and perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Before initiating mediation, she supported these women in processing their trauma and beginning their healing journey. She also helped mediate between pastors who had remained in Rwanda and those who fled and later returned.

Rachel is the founder of the Mwana Nshuti Initiative, an organization that supports street children by providing access to education, vocational training, and employment opportunities. Thanks to this initiative:

• 20 children returned to school,

• 16 secured employment, and

• 10 became young professionals contributing to organizations and local government in Rwanda.

Her vast experience includes consulting for OXFAM Great Britain in peacebuilding and serving as a counselor for Gate of Hope Ministries Rwanda, where she supported women and girls affected by sexual violence during the genocide.

Most recently, Rachel served as National Peace Advisor for the Quaker Yearly Meeting in Rwanda. In this role, she trained leaders in refugee camps (Kigeme and Mugombwa) in Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP). She also led listening sessions with 80 refugee youths struggling with drug abuse, helping prevent further violence within their communities.

Rachel’s commitment extends to training local authorities and NGO leaders across Rwanda on conflict resolution, children's rights, and gender-based violence. She is a frequent guest speaker at universities, sharing her experience as a peacebuilder.

Rachel’s Inspiration

Reflecting on the roots of her passion, Rachel shared:

"I grew up as an adoptive child. My mother passed when I was two and I was adopted by my uncle. When I was nine, I saw my uncle helping people with conflicts, especially couples and traumatized individuals. Almost every day, there were people who asked for help and my uncle never complained or turned anyone away. Since then, I learned that people need others to listen to them and help them heal their wounded hearts. He took time to listen to them. He took time to listen to me. I am now passionate about social justice and solving problems with people who have been neglected. When I see someone suffering, I like to intervene so that they can feel happy."

Compassionate Listening in Action

Since May 2022, Rachel has independently introduced Compassionate Listening in her community, with a vision to create safe spaces for storytelling and healing—particularly for young women, single mothers, and girls vulnerable to poverty and early pregnancy.

Her goals are:

• To offer a safe space for expressing emotional wounds and fostering healing,

• To support school re-entry or vocational training for girls who have dropped out,

• To empower young women to become self-reliant through small business support.

  
  

So far, she has worked with 23 girls. Her program has achieved the following:

• 6 girls returned to school,

• 17 girls joined vocational training programs (15 have graduated, 2 are still in training),

• 13 graduates secured employment, and 2 started small businesses,

• 4 participants reconciled with their families and returned home after applying conflict resolution skills learned in the program.

  
  

Ongoing Work

Beyond her Compassionate Listening work, Rachel continues to serve as a volunteer with the Transformational Leadership Center, supporting young women facing family conflict and domestic violence. She also trains peacebuilders through Gate of Hope Ministries, expanding capacity to address the ongoing effects of COVID-19.

Rachel is a member of the Friends Evangelical Church Kicukiro, and lives with her husband David Bucura and their three children.

The practitioners are doing a listening exercise

Rachel is offering individual Compassionate Listening

Participants are doing a relaxing exercise together

The girls are sharing what peace means to them

Current Challenges

Despite these successes, Rachel faces several challenges. Her organization has limited financial support and a need for private space for one-on-one compassionate listening sessions. Also, one of the single mothers in the program community is now caring for two children and struggling to meet basic needs.

How You Can Support

The need for financial support is urgent. We invite you to help support Rachel and her Compassionate Listening work by going to Friends Peace Teams at https://friendspeaceteams.org/ to donate. Be sure to scroll down to click on African Great Lakes and then clearly indicate that your gift is for Compassionate Listening in Rwanda. This is a tax-deductible donation.

In addition, if you would like to help facilitate an hour-long training with Rachel, please let Bill Jacobsen (williamhjacobsen@gmail.com) or Yael (ypetretti@gmail.com) know.