Referring to Jean-Paul Samputu, a Tutsi who forgave the Hutu killer of his parents:
As Jean-Paul's story … bears out, forgiving is a deeply personal matter. Ultimately each of us must find healing within, on our own terms, and in our own time. On another level, however, forgiving is much more. Even if its power connects people one by one, the resulting "ripple effect" can be felt on a much broader scale. In fact, forgiveness can be a powerful social force, transforming and empowering whole groups of people.
Source: Johann Christoph Arnold - Why Forgive?, pp.202