Kristine Rea uses her training in psychotherapy to train people around the world and empower others to fight global injustice.
Kristine Rea grew up in Otterburne, MB, which is “pretty much a curling rink and a post office.” Now she uses her training in psychotherapy to train people around the world and empower others to fight global injustice.
“I was born and raised in Otterburne,” says Rea, a psychotherapist in couples therapy and trauma recovery who volunteers with the International Justice Mission doing fundraising and training nationals to go back to their countries to help with post-trauma recovery. “I didn’t see myself as a global power player, but I think I was deceived. I started off in Otterburne, but I had options.”
On Feb. 4, Rea returned to Providence College and Seminary for Missio Dei, a two-day event helping over 500 students, staff, and faculty to become aware of issues of social injustice in the world. Rea—and other event speakers—also promoted tangible ways the students could make a difference in the lives of others around the world.
“Injustice is the misuse of power,” says Rea. “Most people in the world don’t have a lot of power. I have a lot of power compared to how the women in the rest of the world live.”
Rea encouraged the students to look at the level of education, food intake, accommodation, clothes, healthcare, and transportation available to Canadians. She described the option to have an education as an indication of the power we have.
She also recognized that students at Providence are already making a difference. “What I noticed from the students at Providence was a sense of people saying, yes, I see this. How can I help?”
Missio Dei helped encourage Manitoba students to choose to get an education, choose to buy products not made by slaves, and even choose a profession in fighting injustice.
“There are a lot of students who are doing this already,” said Rea. “I can really see how this generation is growing up with a sense of justice. In this age group, I’ve talked with Providence student Caleb Screpnek, about his ideas on business and capitalism and how to incorporate justice and fair trade. It’s very encouraging.”
