Documenting Reconciliation in Kenya
by Boysen Hodgson
In 2007 Patrick Mureithi traveled to Rwanda with the opportunity to film a reconciliation process between perpetrators and victims of violence in the Rwandan genocide. The experience had a deep and lasting impact. He created a documentary film based on that experience called “ICYIZERE:hope” (see the preview below).
“ICYIZERE:hope” trailer from Patrick Mureithi on Vimeo.
Focusing on Kenya
“In my opinion, if the trauma is not addressed, then it is almost guaranteed that there will be repeated cycles of violence.” ~ Patrick Mureithi.
In late 2007 early 2008, violence erupted in Kenya after the election of Mwai Kibaki. The election was believed to be corrupt on both sides by many international observers. Over a million people were forced from their homes, over 1,200 people died in the violence. You can read more about the election crisis at wikipedia here. As Mureithi shared his film with people in Kenya, they pointed out that what had been done to begin healing in Rwanda was desperately needed in Kenya as well. While the scale of the violence in Kenya was smaller, the situation there and the impact of the upheaval was deeply traumatic.
Patrick followed his desire to help heal damaged communities, returning to Kenya in 2008 to begin his current project, “Kenya, Until Hope is Found.” The film documents the process of bringing victims and perpetrators of the violence together in a process of healing and reconciliation. Mureithi believes that it is only through recognizing and working with the long-lasting impacts of trauma and post-traumatic stress that healing will come to nations and communities around the world struggling to build a just and peaceful society. See the Journal’s 2 part interview with Mureithi below.
Mureithi has launched a KickStarter Campaign to help fund the completion of “Kenya, Until Hope is Found”. Please help him pursue his mission in the world by supporting his work. You can learn more about Patrick at his web site, http://josiahfilms.com/. Thank you Patrick for your dedication to healing the world.
See the preview for “Kenya, Until Hope is Found.” at the Kickstarter site.
Patrick was born in Kenya and lived there for the first 18 years of his life before coming to the United States to attend college. He settled in Springfield, MO, went to school, met his wife, and together they began a family. They now have 5 children and a full, complex and creative life together. He is a film-maker, a public speaker, and an artist in residence at Drury University in Springfield, MO. He’s an active member of the ManKind Project in Springfield – and an eloquent speaker about the impact the work has had on his life and family. See his testimonial below.
Boysen Hodgson is the Communications and Marketing Director for the ManKind Project USA, a nonprofit mentoring and training organization that offers powerful opportunities for men’s personal growth at any stage of life. Boysen received his BA with Honors from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, after completing 2 years of Design coursework at Cornell University. He has been helping companies and individuals design the change they wish to see in the world for 15 years. He’s a dedicated husband.
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