Initiative For Peace And Development IPD

20/09/2026

🙏🏾 Please help us support the families affected by the tragic fire in Bukavu, DR Congo. 🇨🇩

Families have lost loved ones, children, homes and everything they had. We have created this GoFundMe to provide support to those affected during this incredibly difficult time.

Every donation, no matter how small, can make a difference. ❤️

If you’re unable to donate, please share this fundraiser so we can reach more people.

🙏🏾 Together, we can bring hope to families who need it most.

Please donate through the GoFundMe link below 👇🏾

On 10 September 2026, a devastating fire swept through Bukavu, South Kivu… Amani Karumba needs your support for Help Bukavu Families Rebuild After the Fire

19/09/2026

💔🇨🇩 BUKAVU IS HURTING

A devastating fire in Bukavu has left a community in mourning. 27 students lost their lives, at least 25 people were injured, and hundreds of homes were destroyed. 💔

Behind these numbers are children who never returned home, grieving parents, and families who have lost almost everything.

Through Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD), we are preparing a GoFundMe to support some of the affected families, especially families who lost children and their homes.

Bukavu, you are not alone. ❤️🇨🇩

GoFundMe details coming soon. 🙏🏾

12/09/2026

Welcome to Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD) 💙💛

IPD is an Australian not-for-profit organisation working to empower young people, women and multicultural communities through education, wellbeing, culture, leadership and humanitarian programs.

🇦🇺 In Australia, we support young people and families through youth programs, cultural activities, mentoring, skills development, wellbeing initiatives and community events.

🇨🇩 In the Democratic Republic of Congo, we support communities through women’s empowerment, youth development, education, digital skills and humanitarian assistance.

Our vision is simple: empowered people, stronger communities and lasting positive change.

We welcome community members, volunteers, organisations and partners who would like to work with us.

🌐 ipdevelopment.org
📧 [email protected]

Together, we can make a difference.

29/08/2026

📸 IPD Photography & Visual Storytelling Program – Celebrating Our Young Creatives

What an incredible journey! 💙

Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD) was proud to celebrate the completion of our Photography & Visual Storytelling Program, where young people had the opportunity to develop their photography, creativity and storytelling skills, express themselves through images, and proudly showcase their work to the community.

The final exhibition was a special moment — seeing our young participants display their photographs, receive their certificates and share what they had created with families, community members and our supporters.

A heartfelt thank you to Foundation House for supporting this program and believing in the potential of our young people. We also thank our facilitator, volunteers, families, community members and everyone who joined us to celebrate their achievements.

At IPD, we believe that when young people are given opportunities, skills and a platform to express themselves, they can build confidence, strengthen their identity and discover what they are capable of.

Empowering Youth. Strengthening Communities. Building a Better Future. 💙📸

24/08/2026

Honoured to have been invited to attend the Premier’s Multicultural Gala Dinner 2026, celebrating the incredible cultural diversity that makes Victoria such a vibrant and welcoming place. 🇦🇺🌏

It was a wonderful evening connecting with community leaders, government representatives and people from many different cultural backgrounds who share a commitment to building stronger, more inclusive communities.

For me, occasions like this are also a reminder of why the work we do through Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD) is so important — empowering young people, supporting families, promoting wellbeing, celebrating culture and creating opportunities for our multicultural communities to thrive.

Grateful for the invitation, the conversations and the opportunity to represent and celebrate our community. 🤝🏾❤️

Together, we continue building stronger communities through diversity, inclusion and connection.

09/08/2026

🌍 Celebrating Culture, Confidence & Young People! 🇨🇩❤️

What an incredible way to wrap up our journey with the students at Manor Lakes P–12 College!

Over the past weeks, Initiative for Peace and Development (IPD) has had the privilege of mentoring and working alongside these amazing young people as they prepared for their Cultural Evening. Yesterday, we finally watched all that hard work come alive on stage — and the energy was ELECTRIC! 🔥👏🏾

From rehearsals, conversations and mentoring to cultural dance, music and performance, we watched the students grow in confidence, teamwork, leadership and pride in their cultural identity.

Seeing our young people proudly representing the Democratic Republic of Congo 🇨🇩 and African culture was a beautiful reminder of why creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported and proud of who they are matters so much.

A heartfelt thank you to Irene and Malesh for walking this journey with us from the beginning, and to the entire Manor Lakes P–12 College community for trusting IPD with the opportunity to mentor and support your students.

And most importantly, to the young people — you did it! ❤️
You worked hard, you showed up, you represented your culture proudly, and you absolutely owned that stage. We are incredibly proud of you.

For IPD, this is what youth empowerment looks like: belonging, confidence, culture, leadership and opportunity.

This may be the end of this particular program, but we hope it is only the beginning of many more opportunities to work together. 🤝🏾

Together, we empower. Together, we celebrate culture. Together, we build stronger communities.

🇨🇩

02/08/2026

02/08/2026

GENOCOST – August 2

Today, we remember the millions of innocent lives lost in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For nearly three decades, countless families have endured violence, displacement, and unimaginable suffering, yet their stories remain unheard by much of the world.

We stand in solidarity with every victim, every survivor, and every family still searching for peace and justice. Remembering is not about spreading hate—it is about honouring those who have been lost, supporting those who continue to suffer, and ensuring that these atrocities are never forgotten.

The world benefits from the Congo’s rich natural resources. It must also acknowledge the human cost that many Congolese communities have paid.

End the silence.
End the violence.
Stand for truth, justice, peace, and dignity.

🕯️ We remember. We honour. We will not forget.

10/06/2026

Another successful IPD youth session at Manor Lakes College today. We had the opportunity to speak with young people about respect, unity, leadership, education, and being proud of our African identity while building a bright future in Australia. Thank you to the students and school staff for the warm welcome. Together we are building stronger communities, one young person at a time. 💙🌍

06/06/2026

IPD Youth Empowerment Program – A Day of Connection, Learning and Culture

Today, IPD was honoured to welcome our valued partners from Foundation House to our Youth Program.

Together, we created a safe space where young people could share their experiences, build confidence, strengthen cultural identity, and learn about available support services. The day included interactive discussions, group activities, cultural dance, leadership development, and a shared meal that brought everyone together.

At IPD, we believe that when young people feel connected, heard, and supported, they can build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

A heartfelt thank you to Foundation House, our volunteers, mentors, and every young person who participated and made today such a success.

Together, we are empowering youth, strengthening communities, and building a better future.