Coexist-Documentary Film Outreach Project

The Organization

Part of our film focuses on the conflict resolution and peace-building model of REACH (Reconciliation Evangelism And Christian Healing). REACH started with a simple, challenging mission: to bring about reconciliation and healing in a country torn apart by genocide. Father Philbert Kalisa founded the organization in 1996. Since then, the organization has trained nearly 4,000 people including religious and government leaders, and women and youth of multiple Christian denominations and the Muslim community.

They’ve done this by bringing together people, often those who have been in conflict. Some are murderers’ wives, others their victims’ wives. After bringing people together they encourage them to work together. REACH has created groups that grow crops together, raise goats, sing in choirs, and play soccer. The soccer league is now the largest in Rwanda. REACH’s work is getting noticed within Africa’s great lakes region. Governments and organizations from neighboring countries have inquired about REACH’s model.

The Founder

Father Philbert Kalisa was born in a refugee camp in Burundi. His parents were exiled from Rwanda when Hutus began killing Tutsis there in the late 1950s. He grew up in refugee camps. While in Burundi he became an ordained minister of the Anglican church.

A citizen of nowhere, he managed to get permission to study in England earning his B.A. degree in theology at Trinity College Bristol. While studying he was able to visit Rwanda for the first time during the aftermath of the genocide. He learned that dozens of his relatives had been slaughtered. Despite this, his visit there inspired him to study ways to help repair the damage done and form REACH. He moved to Rwanda with his family in 1996.

Click the links to learn more about REACH in Rwanda and REACH U.S.A. and Father Kalisa.