Peace Direct USA

Say hello to Anna from Venezuela 🇻🇪

In 2017, she joined peaceful protests against human rights abuses in her country alongside thousands of fellow students. They faced repression, violence and tear gas. Over 160 people were killed in just three months.

Nails, screws and bullets were shot at Anna and those around her. After one of her friends was killed, she became more committed than ever to creating change.

“When one of my university colleagues was killed, it was like a part of me died with him. We had to make it make sense. There was no way such an amazing person [could die] without things changing.”

Anna could see that violence was not going to achieve the positive or sustainable change she wanted. Which is why she founded a non-violent student-led movement. To help bridge divides, and build long lasting peace.

“[Young people should] not be a disposable token of conflict but be involved in high level decision-making … I have built a community of young people, that are motivated to shift power in a different way.”

For Anna, peace starts with understanding and being part of the conversation. Thank you, Anna, for all you are doing to help build a safer, fairer future 🪧

Meet Nishchhal from Nepal 🇳🇵

From a young age he witnessed ethnic, caste and class-based discrimination in his country.

After the earthquake in 2015, Nepal faced an economic and humanitarian crisis caused by a severe shortage of food, fuel, medicines and vaccines. A political protest soon divided the country and led to more than 600 incidents of violence. Hundreds of people lost their lives.

Nishchhal wanted to change things. Which is why he became a local peacebuilder. To help prevent further polarisation and conflict in Nepal.

He founded Freedom Studio: A pro-democracy, youth-led initiative supporting marginalised young people.

“I created Freedom Studio to function as a network that strategically and creatively supports civic expression and peaceful mobilisation”.

Through trainings, Nish has helped hundreds of young people. Engaging marginalised and oppressed communities to use creative and non-violent techniques to demand justice and ensure their rights.

“I am confident that such efforts will [increase] their status within society and challenge unjust social norms and practices”.

For Nish, peace starts with the younger generations. Thank you, Nish, for supporting young people in Nepal to build longstanding peace 🧱

“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 in February last year.

“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 18 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 💙💛

Sahra is from Somalia 🇸🇴

A country where decades of war and civil conflict have devastated the lives of millions.

When she was still a teenager, Sahra overheard her father making plans for her to marry the leader of a local militant group. She could feel her hopes for an independent future slipping away in that moment.

Faced with no other option: Sahra fled to the coastal city of Kismayo to start a new life for herself. She met our local partner, the Social-life and Agricultural Development Organization (SADO), soon after she arrived.

They taught Sahra how to tailor and better manage her finances. She now runs her own tailoring business, from which she receives a steady income.

With a helping hand from our local partner, Sahra was able to achieve her dream of independence. Thank you SADO for being there for women like Sahra in Somalia 💙

Sail is from Pakistan. When he was 19, he noticed that many children and other young people in his village were being exploited by armed groups promoting violent ideas. Sail knew he had to do something to stop them, but didn’t know where to start.

That was before he met our local partner, Aware Girls. They showed him how to help his people lead more peaceful lives. Sail is now an important voice in his local community, promoting tolerance and nonviolence. In his own words:

“Some understood my message and others ignored it. But, with the passage of time more [young people] joined me … Since I attended the training with Aware Girls, I have been able to bring considerable change in my surroundings.”

We’re grateful to all our partners who are helping people like Sail make their communities safer places to grow up in ✌️

“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 💙💛

“I was so traumatised … There was an attack on our community.”

Meet Zainab. She is from Quetta in Pakistan.

Her family is part of a minority group who have faced persecution for many years. One day things escalated. Her community was attacked.

“A number of people were killed, including my Aunt.”

This tragedy took a heavy toll on Zainab’s mental health. To help process her trauma, she required medical support. Zainab practised her passion for drawing whilst in hospital.

“The doctors saw my sketches and asked me to express my feelings in this form...”

Not long after leaving hospital, Zainab met our partner organisation, Aman Rang. They gave her a grant to help scale up her drawings. She now works with other young trauma survivors. Together, they are spreading messages of peace throughout their country.

“[Aman Rang] gave us a platform - to show people the suffering of our community.”

Zainab's work has since been recognised across Pakistan. We're grateful for our partners who are supporting young people like her who are struggling with their mental health due to conflict. Thank you for being there 🫂

“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 💙💛

Say hello to Stella 👋

She’s from Ituri in DR Congo. Jobs are hard to come by in her community. Most people work in local gold mines, 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 has started saving for her own car.

“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 family and cultivate my fields … May CRC do the same [for many] other women!”

We thank CRC for helping women like Stella learn new skills and follow their dreams.

“I was waiting for the slightest opportunity to avenge [my family]!”

Meet Moses. He lives in Trikania, Nigeria.

In 2000, violence tore through his community. He lost loved ones and was forced to flee from his home. Filled with grief and anger: Moses wanted revenge.

That was before he met our partner, LEGASI. They brought Moses together with other young people from across his community whose lives had been shaped by violence.

“We were waiting for an opportunity to attack, but suddenly I was invited to a programme organised by LEGASI. The person that invited me was the person I was planning an attack with.”

LEGASI ran trainings for Moses focusing on forgiveness and healing. They helped him move past revenge, and begin thinking about his future.

“They kept talking about peace, so I decided to open my heart to them…”

Now Moses is teaching his community what LEGASI taught him. He’s passing on the importance of peace, forgiveness and healing.

Thank you LEGASI for being there for people like Moses, helping them to move forward after loss and begin rebuilding their lives 💚

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.

“I don’t want to see them suffering…”

Meet 10 year old Khatoun. Like over 2.4 million other children living in Syria, she was forced out of school by conflict.

She desperately wanted to go back. But Khatoun had fallen too far behind to return right away.

That was before she met our local partner, Swaadna. They're helping children in Syria get back to school, providing them with the tools they need to follow their dreams.

At their Education Centre: Swaadna taught Khatoun how to read and write Arabic and English. With their support, she passed her exams and will soon be back at school. She’s even making plans for her future.

“I wish [to] become a doctor, to treat my grandmother’s heart and all the elderly people’s hearts.”

We’re grateful to all our partners that are supporting children like Khatoun growing up in conflict. Thank you for creating safe spaces for them to learn and begin following their dreams ✨

“I want us to remember the importance of forgiveness and peace…”

Kaltumi is from Kaduna, Nigeria. A place where poverty and violence is claiming lives and dividing communities.

She always wanted to make a difference. That’s why she founded our partner, LEGASI. Together, we're helping people find long-term, sustainable solutions to conflict and inequality.

With the holy month of Ramadan upon us: Kaltumi’s work promoting religious tolerance is more relevant than ever.

“Ramadan reminds us to treat our family, friends and neighbours with respect and kindness regardless of our differences ... Let's use this holy month to build cohesion amongst our society and local community, and spread the message of peace!”

We’re grateful for everyone like Kaltumi fighting to make the world a safer, fairer place. Ramadan Mubarak to all who celebrate 🌜

“The house was still burning … I lost almost everything.”

This is Catherine. She is from Kaduna in north Nigeria.

Violence devastated her community in 2018. She lost her husband and daughter that dreadful day.

Scarred and traumatised, Catherine cut ties with those she once called neighbours. She blamed them for her losses. “I was distraught, I [didn’t want] anything to do with [them].”

That was before she met our local partner, LEGASI. They’re bringing women from all walks of life together. Women with shared experiences of trauma.

“We were counselled … [LEGASI taught us] about peaceful coexistence and the importance of forgiveness.”

LEGASI helped Catherine form a movement for women affected by the violence in her community. Together, they’re helping people heal.

“[We] spread the word of peace … We show that we have forgiven each other and want to live peacefully.”

Thank you LEGASI for supporting women like Catherine. With their help, women are healing and finding peace 🧡💙

“Hugs can help calm their nerves. So does singing loudly until the warplanes leave the skies…”

These are the words of Layla Hasso. She’s a peacebuilder, working with our partner in Syria - the Hurras Child Protection Network.

Trauma and loss were shaping the lives of Syrian children long before this month's earthquakes. “After each military campaign, we lose children to unexploded bombs and ordnance left behind near schools."

Yet even in these harshest of times, Layla and her team are helping children heal. "The first step to [helping children] recover from trauma is ensuring that they can continue their education as part of a daily routine. Our main goal has always been to keep schools open, whether in underground shelters or virtually … [When the bombs fall] our teachers do everything they can to keep the children calm.”

We thank Layla and Hurras for helping children in Syria stay in school despite disaster and war 🚸

“I lost my husband and uncle in the crisis … [It was] a day I will never forget.”

This is Hadiza. She’s from Kaduna State in the north of Nigeria.

Several years ago, tensions in her village reached boiling point. Violence broke out, and her husband and uncle were killed. The trauma of that day pushed her community even further apart.

“I stopped spending time with my friends and neighbours … I blamed them for what happened and cut ties with them.”

This was before she met our local partner, LEGASI. They're bringing women who lost loved ones that day together. They are providing them with counselling, helping everyone heal together.

“Through their teachings, [I] realised that what I thought about [my friends and neighbours] in the past was not true. I also realised that we need each other, and that they are as important to us as we are to them”.

Now Hadiza has reconnected with her friends and is an active member of her community. Her daughter even has a new best friend from across the village. With the help of our partner, Hadiza and her family are moving forward.

We thank LEGASI for supporting women like Hadiza who have faced great personal loss due to violence. With their support, people are healing together in harmony 🤍💜

“We thought that our brothers were suffering from diseases like tuberculosis or poisoning ... The real cause of their deaths was related to our use of mercury.”

Meet Aly. He lives in Eastern DR Congo where he works in a small, artisanal gold mine.

Independent mines like Aly’s usually sell their gold informally. This can make miners' income unreliable and cause conflicts. Health and safety standards can also be patchy, with workers often exposed to harmful substances like mercury.

“​​We used mercury [in the past]. We did not know its harmful effects. What mattered to us was extracting gold by any means…”

This was before Aly met our partner, Centre Résolution Conflits (CRC). They’re helping him and his colleagues run their mine more safely, and take steps towards formally exporting their gold.

“We have saved ourselves from diseases [caused by] mercury, such as body tremors, memory impairment [and] hearing problems … But the biggest advantage we have as artisanal gold miners is that the gold we mine here has a better chance of being accepted in the world market.”

Thank you CRC for helping miners like Aly take control of their income and improve their working conditions 👷

“I wish we had our own house again … I want to spend my time playing and having fun.”

Meet Layial. She’s 11 and from Syria. Her family were forced from their home when it was bombed. Layial's siblings were killed in the explosion.

She now lives in the northern city of Aleppo. Her new home is small. But Layial and her family are safe there - for now.

Fleeing her home meant Layial had to sacrifice her schooling to survive. She missed out on an education and struggled to make friends with children her age.

That was before she met our partner, Sawaad'na. They helped her get back to school, and keep on top of her studies.

Despite having to walk miles to class each day, Layial is so happy to be back in school.

“I want to go to school, even though it’s so far … I like learning English and Arabic.”

Layial is looking forward to finishing her studies, and hopes to work with disabled children in the future. “I am so happy to return to school, I want to study and help other children […] especially those with disabilities who can’t go to their own schools.”

We are grateful to Sawaad'na for providing education and other opportunities to children in Syria. Without their help, children like Layial would struggle to achieve their dreams 🎒

“My husband was kidnapped in 2007 … He is still missing to this day.”

Kaushayla is from Sri Lanka. Her husband was kidnapped during the country's 25-year civil war. She never saw him again.

Shortly after his disappearance, Kaushayla met our partner. They connected her with a network of women who had also been affected by the war. Kaushayla not only found friendship and support, but also received sewing training. This helped her to gain new tailoring skills so that she could work and earn money selling clothing. She now has skills for life, and a network she can rely on.

“Women want to be independent, self-employed or on the road to becoming self-employed. We just needed the start-up skills and tools” she told us recently.

We are grateful for all the women like Kaushayla that have helped build peace this year 💙

“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. Help CRC be there for more women like her with a donation this 🖤

“I hope all the camps disappear soon, and the people no longer suffer.”

Nour is just 12 years old. The conflict in Syria changed her life forever.

Nour lost her father in the war and was forced from her home. She was unable to attend school, which made her feel sad and lonely.

But then our partner, Sawaad’na, came into her life. They encouraged Nour to study at their local learning centre. They taught her to read and write. She says that "After learning to read, I [keep finding] myself between books!”.

Following a year of study, she passed her exams. She is now in formal education, and is looking forward to the future. “I dream of being a doctor and treating sick people for free!” she tells us.

We thank Sawaad’na for helping children in Syria follow their dreams 💫

“I cannot say I am perfect, but I know I am not the same person I was before...”

Say hello to Sabhuku. He’s a traditional leader within his community in Zimbabwe.

“My role is to bring leadership to my village and be a mediator in conflict situations ... I used to be a violent man ... Even my wife was always in trouble with me.”

That was before he attended a training with our local partner, Envision Women’s Trust.

“When I attended the training, my eyes were opened ... I saw myself in another light. I realised that it was good to be a peace-loving person as a leader and to teach others to be peaceful … I understand [my wife] has her rights too. I cannot say I am perfect, but I know I am not the same person I was before attending the training with Envision.”

We’re grateful for all our partners helping people like Sabhuku turn their lives around. Thank you for giving people a second chance 👏

“My husband and daughter were killed … Our house was burnt down.”

In 2018, Katherine and Marwanatu’s lives changed forever.

They were friends and neighbours who were caught up in fighting near Kaduna, Nigeria. Both blamed each other’s religion for their losses.

But our partner, LEGASI, was able to bring them back together. They helped Marwanatu and Katherine share their experiences with each other, and gave them the support they needed to begin healing.

Now, they are both role models leading their local 'Women’s Peace Council'. They’re helping other women in their community come to terms with their traumas and celebrate their differences.

Thank you LEGASI for helping families like these rebuild their lives 🫶

Meet Stella 👋

She’s from Ituri in DR Congo. Jobs are 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 thank CRC for supporting women like Stella, helping them to learn new skills and to follow their dreams.

"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 🤎

“I don’t want to see them suffering…”

Khatoun is 10 and from Syria. Like 2.4 million other children in her country, she was forced out of school by civil war.

She wanted to go back, but after missing out on years worth of classes she wasn’t able to get back into formal education.

This was before she met our local partner, Swaadna. They're helping children in Syria get back to school, providing them with the necessary tools and skills to follow their dreams.

At their Education Centre, Swaadna taught Khatoun to read and write in Arabic and English. She’s since passed her exams, and will be able to return to formal schooling soon.

“I wish [to] become a doctor, to treat my grandmother’s heart and all the elderly people’s hearts.”

With the support of our partner, Khatoun is now on the road back to school - following her dream of studying medicine.

We’re grateful to all our partners that are supporting children in conflict, providing them with safe spaces to learn and second chances at life 🫶

“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 🌿

Sail is from Pakistan. When he was 19, he noticed that many children and other young people in his village were being exploited by armed groups promoting violent ideas. Sail knew he had to do something to stop them, but didn’t know where to start.

That was before he met our partner, Aware Girls. They showed him how to help his people lead more peaceful lives. Sail is now an important voice in his local community, promoting tolerance and nonviolence.

We’re grateful to all our partners who are helping people like Sail make their communities safer places to grow up in ✌

“We feel miserable when we fail to make ends meet … My father is unemployed, so my mother supports the family from a small fruit and vegetable stall in the local market...”

Nimo is from Kismayo, Somalia.

When conflict swept through her community a few years ago, Nimo was forced to stay at home. She felt miserable, and her family struggled to make ends meet without her help.

That was before Nimo met our local partner, the Social-life and Agricultural Development Organization (SADO). They showed her a way forward, and helped Nimo’s family get back on their feet.

“I was looking for a life-saving skill to build my future … I took part in SADO’s tailoring class. Since then, a great change has taken place in my life ... The life of my family has also improved and my respect in the community is growing ... If I hadn’t found this opportunity I would still be sitting at home without hope.”

We’re grateful for all our partners who are there for women like Nimo 💛

“I felt so useless staying in France … I felt guilty being there and not helping.”

Meet Kessy 👋

She founded URU. Our local partner in the Central African Republic (CAR).

When conflict spread in her country, Kessy quit her job in France and went home to help. But coming from Europe, she was met with suspicion.

“I was attacked by one of the leaders… They [thought] I was maybe part of an international NGO because I spoke French and English.”

Luckily another leader was interested in what Kessy had to say. They listened carefully when she spoke to them about protecting the sexual and reproductive health of their community. This was how URU was born.

“8 years later, all of the young people we started to work with [back then] are out of armed groups … [through] our trainings, they completely changed their perception of conflict and who they are”. Today, they inspire other young people all across CAR.

Everyday, peacebuilders like Kessy put their lives on the line to support people in conflict. We thank her and URU for their commitment to peace, and for helping young people towards a brighter, safer future.