African Great Lakes Initiative-Friends Peace Teams

04/03/2026

In collaboration with the HROC Burundi team, we invite you to join our online Introduction to Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities (HROC) on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

03/20/2026

Digital learning access also made a strong academic difference. A Primary Six student, Fabrice, reported:
“I am happy to access the internet and use an iPad for my research. I am in Primary Six, and this helps me with revision and preparation for my national exams. As I prepare to join secondary school, I am excited to use digital tools and gain basic technology skills.”

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES — Digital learning access also made a strong academic difference. A Primary Six student, Fabrice, reported: “I am happy to access the internet and use an iPad for my research. I…

02/27/2026

From 16th to 18th December 2025, Transforming Community for Social Change (TCSC) successfully conducted an Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) Training of Trainers (TOT) at Chepyuk Peace Centre in Mt. Elgon. This special training targeted high school youth and emerging young leaders, equipping them with facilitation skills and deepening their understanding of nonviolence, conflict transformation, and peer engagement.

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES — From 16th to 18th December 2025, Transforming Community for Social Change (TCSC) successfully conducted an Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) Training of Trainers (TOT) at…

12/12/2025

I am a mother of two children. Before joining the TLC VSLA ‘Dukore’ in early 2025, I was part of another savings group that lacked purpose and goals. Through TLC’s training and visits, I learned the value of saving and how to use loans wisely in my daily activities. My business has grown, and I now contribute more to my family’s development. I sincerely thank TLC for continuously training us in financial management- Uwizeyimana Beatrice -Kageyo Sector.

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES —October 2025 news The month of October 2025 was an active and impactful period for the Transformational Leadership Center (TLC). We are reporting on Gicumbi District, Sectors R…

12/07/2025

5 Days to go..
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11/29/2025

EVENT NOTICE!
Join us for a gathering to reflect on the October 2025 issue of PeaceWays, “Celebrating Diverse Voices.” Together, we will lift up and listen to voices for justice and peace, creating a space of sharing, learning, and connection across our communities.

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10/22/2025

Join us in a gathering to celebrate the people who work for justice and peace in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia and Cuba through Friends Peace Teams.

PEACEBUILDING EN LAS AMÈRICAS —Join us in a gathering to celebrate the people who work for justice and peace in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Colombia and Cuba through Friends Peace Te…

10/17/2025

On September 16-18, 2025, an AVP basic workshop was held in the Friends Women’s Association (FWA)'s new training room, which was under construction at the time. Eighteen participants were present, including 3 men and 15 women. Among the 18 participants, 16 were from the FWA staff and 2 were from Healing and Rebuilding our Communities (HROC) Burundi. Facilitators were Anne Dietrich, Obed Nijimbere, Florence Rutamucero, and Klive Doelly Mugenzi. The objective of the training was to equip participants with conflict transformation skills in preparation for the International Day of Peace on September 21, 2025.

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES — On September 16-18, 2025, an AVP basic workshop was held in the Friends Women’s Association (FWA)’s new training room, which was under construction at the time. Eighteen…

10/03/2025

The TLC organization supporting Conservation Agriculture (CA) and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Gicumbi District are progressing well. Community members continue to improve their household economies through regular training and the culture of saving. This approach is playing a key role in poverty reduction. And this approach, CA and VSLA combined, has been seen to nurture long-term sustainable development. We observe that GBV, integrated as part of the whole program, enhances these outcomes.

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES — The TLC organization supporting Conservation Agriculture (CA) and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Gicumbi District are progressing well. Community members con…

10/03/2025

Thank you for walking this journey with us. Together, we are raising a generation that believes in peace not as a distant dream, but as a daily action. With your continued support, we can reach more children, strengthen their voices, and expand their impact in building a peaceful Rwanda and beyond.— Esther Mutuyimana and Francine Muhawenimana

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES — One of the most moving moments of the day was when the Unity Peace Club led community service activities, including Umuganda (cleaning around the libraries), storytelling, and…

10/03/2025

Forgiveness emerged as a difficult but essential step in peacebuilding. Youth shared stories of betrayal among friends and families. Using restorative justice exercises prepared by Hezron, they practiced letting go of grudges. “I learned that forgiving does not mean forgetting, but choosing peace over revenge,” said Fredrick.

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES — Participants reflected that unresolved anger often fuels family disputes and peer violence. Through role plays and exercises, they practiced identifying triggers and adopting …

09/19/2025

The 20th international training session for HROC facilitators program was conducted while the Great Lakes Region continues to be fraught with traumatic experiences stemming from wars and daily challenges, due to the conflict in Eastern Congo being the primary source of trauma. There is a critical need for trauma healing initiatives and support systems in the region to aid refugees, mourning families, survivors of sexual violence, neglected children, and former combatants.

AFRICAN GREAT LAKES — Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities (HROC) program was established in Rwanda and Burundi in 2003. Since its inception, all its initiatives follow a communal approach that i…