Peace Direct

“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 ❤💚🖤

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 🥖

“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 🖤🤍

“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 ❤️💚💛💙💜