Published by Iwacu Recovery Centre, August 2025
There are moments in life when the world slows down — when we pause long enough to breathe, listen, and feel what's really happening inside us. That's what happened during the Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Retreat held this August in Kigali, Rwanda.
For several days, a group of 25 people from Rwanda and Kenya — counselors, teachers, health workers, peacebuilders, and others — came together not just to learn, but to heal. Organized by the International Professional Counselors Centre (IPCC), the Susan Gitau Counseling Foundation (SGCF), and Iwacu Recovery Centre (IRC), the retreat was more than an event; it was a journey inward.
The Space Between Healing and Hope
The theme, "Mindfulness, Kindness, and Self-Compassion in Trauma Healing," felt especially fitting in Rwanda — a country that has walked a long road toward recovery and peace.
Participants arrived carrying stories: of helping others, of personal loss, of exhaustion from giving so much without always having the time to refill their own cups.
Through guided mindfulness sessions, reflective journaling, and deep conversations, something began to shift. There was laughter, there were tears, and there was silence — the kind that heals.
Together, we learned that self-compassion isn't selfish; it's a radical act of love and survival.
Lessons from Stillness
Each day began with quiet meditation. As the Rwandan sun rose over the hills, we practiced breathing — not just as a technique, but as a reminder that we are alive, that every breath is a chance to begin again.
We explored how mindfulness and self-compassion (MSC) can help release stored pain and trauma. We learned to notice the body's signals, to name emotions without judgment, and to treat our inner struggles with the same gentleness we offer others.
The group also visited Genocide Memorial sites — a sobering but powerful part of the retreat. Standing there, surrounded by history and memory, mindfulness took on a deeper meaning. Healing, we realized, isn't about forgetting; it's about finding peace in remembrance.
What We Learned Together:
- How to apply MSC principles in trauma healing and emotional recovery
- Ways to release built-up stress, burnout, and trauma through self-awareness
- The importance of cultural exchange and inclusivity between Rwanda and Kenya
- Building a growing network of MSC trainers and practitioners across Africa
- Supporting Rwanda's ongoing journey of trauma healing through community outreach
"A Space of Healing and Renewal"
As Rev. Dr. Jean Claude Murekeyimana of Iwacu Recovery Centre shared at the closing circle:
"This retreat was a space of healing and renewal. It is through such initiatives that we empower communities, restore hope, and nurture peace across generations."
His words resonated deeply. The retreat was not only about learning methods — it was about coming home to ourselves. We carried that warmth, that gentleness, back into our work and our communities.
A Ripple of Compassion
When the retreat ended, no one truly wanted to leave. But everyone left changed. There was a shared understanding that healing is not a one-time event — it's a practice, a choice we make every day.
Each participant returned to their community with new energy, ready to integrate mindfulness into classrooms, therapy sessions, and even everyday conversations.
The retreat planted seeds — of compassion, awareness, and cross-cultural connection — that will continue to grow across Rwanda, Kenya, and beyond.
The Journey Continues
In a world that often values doing over being, this retreat reminded us of the power of slowing down. Of noticing. Of choosing kindness — especially toward ourselves.
Mindfulness doesn't erase pain, but it helps us hold it differently. It teaches us that healing isn't found in perfection, but in presence.
And sometimes, all it takes is a quiet moment in Kigali, surrounded by others who are learning to breathe again, to realize that we are not alone — and that peace begins within.
This story is an invitation to pause, reflect, and embrace the healing power of mindfulness and self-compassion in our daily lives.