Philbert Kalisa, REACH
Rwanda 🇷🇼
Meet Philbert
Born and raised in a refugee camp outside his country of Rwanda, Rev. Philbert Kalisa understands the complexity of reconciliation on a deeply personal level. In response to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Philbert, an Anglican priest, forged a powerful and courageous process for reconciliation that has served over 33,000 people.
About REACH
Starting in 1995, in the immediate post-genocide context in Rwanda, Philbert brought together perpetrators and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda to do the agonizing and essential work of reconciliation, forgiveness, and unity building. Reconciled neighbors formed into “Unity groups,” building peaceful relationships through shared cultural activities or income-producing initiatives over many years.
Philbert’s remarkable ability to build trust and forge cooperation with a broad network of community partners has enabled him to form a constellation of stakeholders across the country of Rwanda, to help further the work of his organization, REACH. The history and accomplishments of REACH demonstrate that humans can recover from and flourish after the unthinkable, when given the correct support.
About REACH and VICOBA Plus
In 2019, REACH began a partnership to bring VICOBA Plus, an innovative training, to REACH Unity groups. VICOBA Plus include life skills training, community savings groups formation, resource mobilization, and critically, a mental shift towards self-sustainability.
The Unity group context has proven to be an ideal setting for VICOBA Plus to flourish and expand. In conjunction with providing community-based resources for well-being and mental health, REACH recognizes the essential role of equipping people for healthy economic stability and agency as key ingredients in well-being. REACH sees VICOBA Plus as a tool for sparking even deeper community cohesion, along with innovation, collaboration, and economic advancement. REACH Unity Groups are becoming a vibrant force for expanding VICOBA Plus training, bringing an empowering lens for self-sufficiency that benefits entire communities.
A New Chapter for REACH
While REACH has seen incredible progress in the realm of reconciliation and unity, silent
intergenerational wounds remain. In addition, REACH recognizes that Rwanda is beginning to experience many of the societal challenges found in the US and other western nations. Rwanda’s economic progress and global influences introduce stressors for families. The demands and challenges of modern life impact marriages and children in new ways. People are now so driven with increased expectations at work and in formal education, that cultural structures which stabilized many are more difficult to maintain, and the pressure takes a toll.
When paired with the generational trauma that remains below the surface in most families and households, there is grave concern about rapid acceleration and impact of extreme stress and weakening social cohesion. Rwanda is experiencing a profound rise in addictive behaviors and disorders, anxiety, depression, family conflicts, and other crises in mental health.
REACH spent 2024 in active reflection and conversation with leaders all over the country who have shown increasing concern for the challenges facing them due to the rapidly changing social structures in Rwanda. Presently, there are few systems, structures, or professionals in place to address these challenges. People are uncertain how to navigate this unfamiliar territory and a level of stigma makes seeking help difficult.
While new infrastructures will eventually emerge nationally to serve clinical needs in mental health, REACH is already uniquely positioned, both nationally and at the grassroots level, to bring their expertise in leading healing through community-based solutions. The leaders and groups who have been through the reconciliation process know that meeting people where they
are, in a way that strengthens the social fabric, is essential.
As aging elders and the next generation of parents negotiate these new challenges, REACH is poised to apply their ready network of community groups and their seasoned expertise. REACH is prepared to contribute in a timely way to develop culturally appropriate approaches to well-being and mental health in Rwanda.
REACH has existing social structures for bridge-building, training, and harm reduction. The Unity groups are comprised of people who have been through a process of reconciliation and healing together and then, with the leadership and guidance of REACH, have dedicated themselves to ongoing, peaceful relationships through shared activities. The REACH vision includes the construction of a unique ‘Mental Health and Wellness Center’ that can demonstrate the power of community-based solutions, and provide a safe, inviting physical space for Unity groups to serve others.
- Expand VICOBA Plus to REACH Unity groups across Rwanda, strengthening Unity groups and deepening REACH’s influence as a VICOBA Plus training hub in the country.
- Fund staff and systems to effectively utilize the REACH networks and resources to equip the next-generation of Rwandans for long term peace and healing.
- Invest in the construction of a Wellness and Mental Health Center.