Successful Partnerships for More Sustainability and Peace

The association Friedenskinder eV, founded 15 years ago in Koblenz, is committed to improving the living conditions of disadvantaged children and young people in 6 project countries around the world. The association’s long-standing and committed work in Rwanda is particularly noteworthy. Through targeted projects and partnerships, Friedenskinder eV makes an important contribution to promoting the education and social integration of children and young adults in Rwanda.

In close cooperation with the partner association AJECL and its founder Father Theogene, a lot has already been achieved in recent years. The shared vision of Friedenskinder eV and AJECL in Rwanda is to support a new generation of children who can act as peace ambassadors in their society, in order to contribute to a stable and just Rwanda in the long term. This takes place in schools, where Father Theogene and his staff hold workshops on the topic of “peace” over the course of a school year. At each school, two teachers are trained on the topic and receive regular training. The so-called “Gwiza Ahamoro Clubs” that have been created remain and are an integral part of the school community. They ensure that what has been learned and experienced is maintained and contributes to peaceful coexistence. Once a year, AJECL organizes a Gwiza Ahamoro Cup, a football tournament for different age groups with children and young people from the clubs. In addition to having fun with the sport, it is also about fair play and peaceful coexistence, even in the event of a possible wrong decision or foul.

After the positive experiences with this type of knowledge transfer and personality development, the program was expanded. The workshop “My First 20 Years Are Protected” focuses primarily on avoiding early sexual relationships with all their consequences (e.g. unwanted pregnancies), avoiding drug abuse and alcohol, as well as crime and child labor.

Through these workshops and other educational opportunities (training of seamstresses and knitters at three locations) Friedenskinder eV and AJECL help to strengthen the self-confidence of girls and boys and encourage them to play an active role in their community.
The work of Friedenskinder eV in Rwanda together with AJECL has already made significant progress, but there is still a lot to do. The association plans to continue to support its projects responsibly and, where possible, to help them become self-sufficient.

Further information can be found at www.friedenskinder.de and www.ajecl.org.rw.