Three decades after the Rwandan genocide, which resulted in the deaths of over 800,000 people, much remains to be done in the healing process. Traumatic experiences get passed on through generations, and the whole Rwandan society suffers from collective trauma. Many of the widows and now-grown children struggle financially, and most have never shared their stories or dealt with their trauma, making it difficult for them to achieve anything beyond their basic survival needs.
Mercer’s work in Kigali helps the Rwandan people establish sustainable sources of income and cope with their painful pasts, thereby improving their quality of life. The program aims to be a force multiplier that strengthens efforts toward community recovery.
Business students and faculty will organize and conduct workshops that teach Rwandans skills in business, marketing, operations management, accounting and finance, and project management. Working in groups, the Mercerians will help the business owners create marketing plans to improve their profitability and efficiency.
Counseling students and faculty will train Rwandans in a narrative model of trauma assessment and intervention. During small group sessions, local participants will go through a series of modules, learn how to teach them to others, and practice leading sessions. The hope is that they will share what they learned with others in their communities, creating a growing network of people who can support the genocide survivors.
Both business and counseling students also will participate in a variety of activities to give them a better understanding of the Rwandan culture, including touring the Kigali Genocide Memorial.
Traveling to Rwanda will forever change my life. Seeing the world from a new perspective socially, culturally, and from a business standpoint was very insightful. This trip allowed me to meet people different from me and find out that we are more similar than we expected. I gained a broader understanding of the world and how to interact with those from diverse backgrounds. From a business perspective, it was fascinating to see the way things work in Rwanda, such as the markets, loans and taxes.
My time in Rwanda challenged me to think outside the box and to step out of my Westernized comfort zone. This experience has genuinely humbled me and made me more aware of the blessings I have been given in my life, and my heart is with the Rwandans forever now. This Mercer On Mission program has impacted my ability to navigate in a rapidly increasing and complex world, and I am now equipped with an open and understanding mindset. I will always cherish the time that we spent together in Rwanda.
Students are required to sign up for six hours of credit. The registrar will enroll you in courses for your program, including one class from each of the program's faculty.
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