| dc.description.abstract | This study was prompted by the remarkable need for pastoral counselling for wounded Rwandese women. Many women that survived the 1994 genocide in Rwanda had been widowed, raped and beaten, had cut their arms and legs, had been forced to kill their own children and were infected with HIV/AIDS during that time. They were emotionally, spiritually and physically wounded by the 1994 genocide. They do not have hope for tomorrow; they do not have peace in their minds because of what happened to them and to their beloved ones. In addition, some Christians left the church, saying that God is no longer there because more Rwandese died in the church than anywhere else, while thinking that it would be a safe place.
The main question that this study aims to address, is: What pastoral guidelines can be given to wounded Rwandese women between the ages of 35-55 in Kibuye who suffered from the 1994 genocide?
In addressing this question, the study attempts to answer the following questions:
• What pastoral guidelines does the Bible provide with regard to counselling wounded people in a situation of genocide?
• What do secular literature indicate with regard to counselling in a case of genocide?
• What impact did the genocide have on the Rwandese women between ages of 35-55 in Kibuye?
• What pastoral guidelines may be given to the wounded person?
The aim of this study is therefore to find and formulate pastoral guidelines that can be used in counselling the Rwandese women aged 35-55 in Kibuye who suffered from the 1994 genocide.
The study utilises Zerfass' model (1974:164-177) for Practical Theology. This method comprises the basic theory, the meta-theory and the praxis theory.
Finally, the researcher utilises the Bible to formulate and propose some Biblical guidelines that would help wounded Rwandese women to cope with their wounds so that they may live a holy life even though their situation is bad. | |
