A study of 3,000 children revealed that 80 percent have lost family members during war and genocide. Some 70 percent have actually seen someone injured or killed, and almost all Rwandan children have seen dead bodies or parts of bodies. Whenever Petronia thinks of her brothers and sisters she cries. Although there are lessons in school where children talk about the past, only a psychologist could help this severely traumatized girl. But there are other needs to meet in Rwanda.
Refugees still return from neighboring countries.
Shelter continues to be a major problem. Vestine and Petronia fled to Tanzania in May 1994. When they came back from the refugee camp they had nowhere no live. After the genocide, Lutheran World Federation helped Vestine and 25 other widows build new houses near Kibungo. LWF provided materials, transport and technical help, plus agricultural assistance.