Peace Direct

"The day I was taken by militia men I had left home to fetch water ... I was accompanied by 3 other girls. When we got there we were made to do their chores.”

When she was just 17 years old, Charlene was abducted by a local militia near her home in DR Congo. She was put to work cooking and fetching water.

One day, their camp was attacked. One of the other children who had been kidnapped recognised the area, and helped Charlene escape. They found their way to the city of Butembo. There, our local partner Centre Résolution Conflits (CRC) is helping survivors find their footing and get back home.

With our partner’s help, Charlene is now training to be a hairdresser. She’s supporting her family, and is looking forward to the future.

Thank you CRC for helping people like Charlene rebuild their lives 💛💙❤️

Meet Stella. She’s from Ituri in DR Congo 🇨🇩

Jobs can be hard to come by in her community. Most people work in the local gold mine, and many women are poorly paid.

Decades of armed conflicts have left hundreds of women like Stella as the sole breadwinners in their households. At one point, she fell into debt to provide for her family.

But Stella's life changed forever when she met our partner, Centre Résolution Conflits (CRC). They gave her the skills and financial support to set up her own business. She now enjoys a stable income, and is saving for her own vehicle.

“Thanks to CRC, I have a job that supports my family … I sell sugar, water and soap … [My business] allows me to pay my children's school fees on time, feed my children and cultivate my fields … May CRC do the same [for many] other women!”

We're grateful to CRC for supporting women like Stella, helping them learn new skills and follow their dreams 💛💙❤️

"[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 💚🤍

“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 💛💙

‘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 ❤‍🩹

“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 🕊

“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 🌱

“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 ❤💚🖤