THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF RWANDA'S FAMILY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS AFTER THE 1994 RWANDAN GENOCIDE

Abstract: The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda left over one million people dead and dismantled family and community structures across the nation. In response, the Lutheran Church of Rwanda (LCR) emerged as a key factor in national healing and reconstruction through its holistic family empowerment programs. Guided by empowerment theory, this study employed qualitative methods including interviews, focus group discussions and observations across selected parishes to explore how LCR’s initiatives contributed to restoring dignity, hope and resilience among genocide-affected families. Findings reveal that LCR implemented integrated programs in trauma healing and reconciliation, spiritual and moral renewal, education and child support, youth mentorship, savings and credit cooperatives, agricultural projects, vocational training and housing reconstruction. These interventions addressed survivors’ psychological, social and economic needs, transforming them from dependence to self-reliance and strengthening family and community cohesion. The study concludes that faith-based family empowerment, when aligned with national recovery policies, offers a vital pathway toward sustainable post-conflict transformation, to address persistent youth unemployment, the LCR should broaden its vocational training initiatives and establish entrepreneurship hubs that promote innovation and self-reliance and there is a need to continue investment in trauma healing and counselling is essential, especially for younger generations affected indirectly by genocide trauma. Keywords: Empowerment, genocide, trauma, healing, reconciliation. Title: THE LUTHERAN CHURCH OF RWANDA’S FAMILY EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMS AFTER THE 1994 RWANDAN GENOCIDE Author: Mukundane Robert, Lukonge Modestus, Lechion Kimilike International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online) Vol. 13, Issue 4, October 2025 - December 2025 Page No: 322-330 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 07-November-2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17549377 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/the-lutheran-church-of-rwandas-family-empowerment-programs-after-the-1994-rwandan-genocide