Peace Direct, Dynamis House, 6-8 Sycamore Street, London (2026)

25/03/2026

"[Through] football ... we have changed our lives and now we are changing other people’s lives”.

These are the words of Madiha. She's from Sindh, Pakistan 🇵🇰

After campaigning for better girls’ sporting opportunities throughout her childhood: As a young adult Madiha founded the first women-led football academy in her area.

She has since gone on to proudly represent her country in the 2023 FIFA World Cup. More recently, Madiha attended the 2024 Paris Olympics as a youth ambassador – alongside 3 of her students ⚽

Madiha was supported in setting up her football academy by our local peacebuilding partner in her region of Pakistan - the Chanan Development Association (CDA). Their mission is to inspire and uplift young people across the country to achieve their dreams and help create positive change.

We are proud to partner with youth-powered organisations like CDA, and young changemakers like Madiha all around the world. Thank you both for leading the way to a more peaceful, inclusive future for us all 💚🤍

19/03/2026

“We are still getting used to our new life...”

This is Liiana. She is from Ukraine 🇺🇦

Her life was turned upside down when the war in her country began four years ago.

“I woke up to a call from a friend … 10 minutes later I heard an explosion. It was a missile which hit my city.”

After fleeing from Ukraine, Liiana and her mother made their way to France. They hoped things would soon return to normal - so they could safely return home.

But after many months living in France, Liiana has come to terms with her new normal. She has started studying at university, is learning French and getting used to life in the city of Tours.

“I felt the support of people even though I didn’t discuss [the war] with them and what my family has experienced … We are masters of our lives [now].”

Liiana and her mother have built a new life for themselves in France. They feel supported in their local community, and are looking forward to one day returning home to Ukraine.

We are forever grateful to all the peacebuilders around the world who are welcoming people like Liiana and helping them find safety and security as they rebuild their lives 💛💙

05/01/2026

‘My hometown was turned into a battleground…’

This is Jamila. She’s a peacebuilder from Mindanao, Philippines 🇵🇭

Jamila has felt the horrors of war firsthand. 26 years ago, she was forced to flee from her home and take refuge in an evacuation center. Whilst there, she and her family narrowly escaped an aerial bombardment. It took more than a year for them to resettle.

These experiences ignited Jamila’s passion for peace. In time, they helped her connect and begin working with her fellow survivors. Soon, they were channeling their shared trauma in a positive, transformative direction.

“[My experience of] trauma would become pivotal … propelling me towards collaborating with fellow survivors of this conflict.”

In 2017, Jamila founded Women Empowered to Act for Dialogue and Peace (WE Act). A local organisation committed to rebuilding the lives of internally displaced people across Mindanao.

“Fueled by a [desire] to assist fellow survivors of war … we galvanised support … and resources to aid internally displaced persons.”

WE Act doesn’t just provide immediate, short-term aid. They are champions of long-term, inclusive peacebuilding. They’re restoring people's lives and helping to create economic opportunities for local communities.

Thank you, Jamila, for all you’re doing for survivors of conflict ❤‍🩹

27/12/2025

“The question those days was “are you staying or leaving the country?”

Meet Luis. He’s a peacebuilder from Venezuela 🇻🇪

The 2016 conflict in his country caused of deep humanitarian crisis. Dozens of people died because of a shortage of food and medicines. 7 million Venezuelans fled the country, including Luis’ brother.

“I was sure that I wanted to stay, but in a [situation] like that ... I had to take action.”

Later that year, Luis founded Fundación Váyalo - a youth-led organisation created to confront the crisis and build long-term peace. With a focus on protecting human rights, Luis has worked tirelessly with local communities across Venezuela ever since.

In the nine years since, Luis and his organisation have helped deliver more than 1,500kg of humanitarian aid. They’ve reached thousands of people through community dialogue sessions, and helped 120 young people leave criminal gangs behind.

“The end of an armed conflict can mean the beginning of a new one if the wounds are deepened, remaining for a long time without being treated.”

Thank you, Luis, for your courage and all you do to bring hope to Venezuela 🕊

18/12/2025

“If we don’t protect our identity, who will?”

Meet Chompey. She’s a peacebuilder from Cambodia 🇰🇭

As the Vice President of the Cambodia Indigenous Women Association, Chompey and her team are working tirelessly to support their local community and stand up for minority and women’s rights.

One of the biggest threats they’re facing is the destruction and loss of indigenous land.

“Nature has influence and is a part of our culture and way of life. We see it as our guide to wellness and peace. Unfortunately, in recent years, nature has been gradually destroyed due to industrial development.”

Chompey has dedicated her life to preserving the cultural heritage, traditions, and identity of Cambodia. The bond between indigenous people and nature is profound, making the protection of their land and forests a top priority.

Thank you, Chompey, for preserving peace in your community 🌱

09/12/2025

“We saw a lot of divisive politics and people being [caught up] in conflict...”

Meet Marian from Kenya. In 2017, post-election, violence left 24 people dead. This created tensions between local communities.

So Marian decided to help build a safer, more peaceful future for her country by helping young people get into politics.

She founded a youth led organization, Jenga Afrihub. ‘Jenga’ means building, strengthening and supporting in Swahili.

Marian is now an advocate for young people, helping them take on greater roles in rebuilding communities touched by conflict.

“Starting these initiatives locally has helped community leaders, young people, and women to own their ideas and run with them.”

Thank you, Marian, for all your work with young people building peace ❤💚🖤

19/09/2025

“I remember the day my life changed forever. War broke out in my village in DR Congo and I had to flee with my family to escape the fighting.”

After spending time at a refugee camp, Julienne met our local partner, Centre Resolution Conflits (CRC). They supported her with training to help her farm, and gave her a loan of $50 to buy some land.

Today, Julienne runs a small business selling cassava, beans, and other vegetables. “My life has totally changed. My children have new clothes and we eat properly now.”

Thanks to all our partners who are supporting women and families displaced by war 🧡🩵

21/08/2025

“When the shelling started, we would lie on the ground so we would not be killed.”

These are the words of Iliena. She’s from Mariupol, Ukraine.

“On the morning of February 24 [2022], I woke up and went to work … I haven't returned home since.”

The war in Ukraine forced Iliena to flee for her life. Along with 6 of her family members, she sought refuge in her sister's apartment.

As the shelling intensified, their electricity and heating was soon cut off. That’s when Iliena knew she and her family had to leave Ukraine. With help from a network of volunteers, they managed to escape.

“France welcomed us warmly… we received temporary protection status [there].”

Iliena and her family are now safe and have a space to call home. They are receiving help with food and other essentials, and her grandchildren are attending a nearby school. Whilst Iliena and her family feel safe in France, they hope to one day return home to Ukraine.

We thank all the peacebuilders who are supporting survivors of war like Iliena, helping them find safety and rebuild their lives 💛💙

14/08/2025

Say hello to Noella from North Kivu, DR Congo 👋

Farming was her only source of income. That was before fighting between local militias made the journey to her field too dangerous. Without money, her family soon fell into poverty.

But our partner, NPCYP, was there for Noella. Through their networks: They helped her get back on her feet. She began building a safer, more secure future for her family with their support.

Noella and 18 other survivors set up a bakery in their local community. She used her earnings from baking and selling bread to feed her family. Any profits she set aside to help set up her own flour-selling business.

"The money I earn from the bakery helped me set up my own business … allowing me to provide for my children's schooling needs and to manage the family [finances]...”

Noella now passes her baking skills on to other survivors, helping them become self-sufficient and keep food on their tables.

We thank NPCYP for being there for women like Noella, helping them learn new skills and gain financial independence 🥖

29/07/2025

“They killed my husband and stole our land. I was left with nothing.”

Josephine is from eastern DR Congo. She was living on a farm near Butembo when an armed group attacked. They murdered her husband and seized their home; Josephine was forced into hiding.

Angry, afraid, and desperate for revenge, she fell in with a rival militia. But when they began recruiting child soldiers into their ranks, Josephine knew she had to escape.

Fortunately, our local partner, Center Résolution Conflits (CRC), was there for her. They negotiated with the militia for Josephine’s freedom. They set her up with a job and a home to call her own. She’s now working with them – securing the release of child soldiers using her insider knowledge.

“I didn’t know what to do ... I was angry and hopeless ... After years of fighting, I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t continue living a life of violence and hatred. I left the group and found [CRC] … I became a peacebuilder.”

Josephine was lucky. She got the help she needed when she needed it most. Thank you CRC for being there for women like her 🖤🤍

19/06/2025

“Donors come and go, but our society is and will be here [forever]...”

Meet Resham. He’s a courageous peacebuilder, working to protect LGBTQIA+ rights in Nepal.

In 2018, Resham co-founded Sahasi Kadam Nepal (SKN). A local, youth-led organisation helping the country’s q***r community overcome unsafe and unfair access to work.

“We need to recognise [our community's] resources and explore ways to leverage them...”

For Resham, peace starts with equal rights for all - regardless of sexual or gender identity.

This Pride Month: We're celebrating everything he is doing to support his community ❤️💚💛💙💜

13/06/2025

“I heard a fighter aircraft passing by ... I started to realise what was happening.”

Meet Makarii. He is a professional rower from Mykolayv, Ukraine.

He was at home asleep when the war began. When he awoke, his life changed forever.

Intense fighting devastated his hometown. Makarii and his family were forced to flee. They sought refuge with family in France. It took 10 days to reach them safely.

When they finally arrived, Makarii was supported by his Aunt. She works with a local organisation assisting Ukranian refugees.

Makarii and his family are now safe. He is learning to speak French at university, and has joined a local rowing club.

“I have twice been a [rowing] champion of Ukraine … Last year I competed in the World Championships.”

Makarii is excited to compete and is happy to be studying, but still hopes one day to return home to Ukraine.

We are grateful to peacebuilders around the world who are supporting survivors of war like Makarii, helping them to find safety and rebuild their lives 💙💛

Peace Direct

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