What's Happening?
For over a decade, Mercer University's Mercer On Mission program in Rwanda has been providing business training and trauma therapy to survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Initiated in 2015 by Professor of Marketing Dr. Etienne Musonera, a Rwandan
native, the program aims to empower communities affected by devastating loss and economic hardship. Each summer, Mercer faculty and students travel to Kigali to work with genocide survivors, many of whom are widows, and their adult children. The program initially focused on business skills but expanded in 2022 to include counseling. To date, 250 business students and 61 counseling students have participated, offering entrepreneurship training to 806 Rwandans and trauma therapy training to 482. The program emphasizes sustainable development and long-term partnerships with Rwandan organizations like MindLeaps, GAERG, AVEGA, and Aegis Trust, ensuring that the impact extends beyond the mission trips.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is crucial for addressing the lasting effects of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which resulted in over a million deaths in 100 days and left a legacy of generational trauma and economic instability. By providing practical business and management skills, the program helps survivors create and grow small enterprises, fostering self-sufficiency and economic empowerment. The trauma therapy component, based on a narrative therapy model developed by Dr. David Lane, helps individuals process their experiences and equips them to support others in their communities. This dual approach not only aids in economic recovery but also contributes significantly to mental health and social healing. The program's focus on training local professionals ensures that the support continues year-round, building local capacity and promoting sustainable development, which is vital for long-term stability and resilience in post-conflict regions.
What's Next?
The Mercer On Mission Rwanda program plans to continue its annual trips, expanding its training offerings to meet evolving community needs, such as adding project management certification for the 2026 trip. The goal is to further develop businesses to be self-sustaining and build more collective partnerships, ensuring that training is integrated within local organizations. The program also aims to expand successful collaborations, such as the IMWE project, which sells products made by Rwandan women in the U.S., with all profits returning to the artisans. The long-term vision is for the program to remain a model of mutually beneficial partnership, fostering empowerment, sustainable development, and strengthening international friendships, with success measured by enduring relationships and positive changes that continue long after each mission concludes.
Beyond the Headlines
The Mercer On Mission program highlights the profound impact of international collaboration in addressing complex humanitarian challenges. It demonstrates how educational institutions can leverage their resources to provide tangible support for economic development and mental health in communities affected by historical trauma. The narrative therapy approach, which encourages participants to share their stories, underscores the therapeutic power of voice and validation in healing. Furthermore, the program's emphasis on training local leaders and fostering self-sufficiency challenges traditional aid models that can create dependency. This initiative not only transforms the lives of Rwandan participants but also offers Mercer students a unique opportunity for cultural immersion, empathy development, and a deeper understanding of global challenges, shaping their perspectives on entrepreneurship, management, and social responsibility.
