Connecting with the communities in Kayonza

On August 13, 2025, the Psycavi team went to Kayonza, in Rwanda's Eastern Province, to share the results of the first epidemiological study with local communities.
A striking finding concerns the particularly high rates of mental health problems in this province. For example, nearly 29% of residents show signs of probable post-traumatic stress disorder, compared to 18% in the rest of the country. This phenomenon primarily affects people born before 1994, demonstrating the significant impact of the genocide on the province's residents.

During the meeting, participants welcomed this feedback and shared their own reflections. Several themes emerged:

• Poverty, domestic violence, unemployment, and trauma transmitted within families make young people particularly vulnerable.
• Many survivors still live with the pain of not having found the bodies of their loved ones. Some perpetrators of the genocide, who came from other regions, settled in Nyagatare, sometimes changing their identities, which fuels a climate of mistrust and rekindles feelings of injustice among the population.
• In the local culture, it is frowned upon to show one's suffering. Crying or talking about one's problems is often perceived as a weakness.
• Going to school or joining associations like AVEGA strengthens resilience, a sense of solidarity, and mutual support.
• Sports and physical activity are seen as simple but effective ways to improve mental health and build social bonds.