Being involved with Initiatives of Change (IofC) has not only been an experience but a journey of learning and gaining so much good. It’s been years of personal development in terms of integrity and moral values. Zachariah Muturi, a young Kenyan shares his experience with IofC.

What was initially a dream became a reality on Saturday 13 April, when 25 young Nigerian professionals and change-makers in their respective communities gathered at the Initiatives of Change (IofC) Nigeria centre in Lagos to learn about the work of IofC and to sharpen their networking skills. The forum was tagged: Army of Change Makers.

In a first for South Sudan, 200 people, drawn from all 10 states, completed a four-week training to be Peace and Reconciliation Mobilisers throughout the country, on Wednesday 1 May.

Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul of the Episcopal Church of Sudan challenged 200 peace and reconciliation mobilisers and facilitators during their training on the morning of 29 April, saying, ‘If you have not changed, you cannot change your country.’

Pokot, Ilchamus, Tugen and Turkana communities came together over two days in March in Baringo, Kenya seeking the means to finding lasting peace. Joseph Karanja reports.

The first Creators of Peace Circle in South Sudan ran in Juba over three days in March. The very interactive, wide ranging conversation and the very deep and painful sharing gave lie to those who said the women of South Sudan would find it hard to open up, too traumatised to share.

On Saturday, March 23, updates were made to the Journey of Healing for National Reconciliation in South Sudan, including the rescheduling of the launch event.

‘A Second Liberation Struggle’ – Second Lady of the Republic of South Sudan, Madame Angelina Teny, urges women to engage and tell a new story on International Womens’ Day.

The challenge is clear; Initiatives of Change has been commissioned by the Vice President of South Sudan to train 200 South Sudanese Peace and Reconciliation Mobilizers. It is truly an exciting opportunity to bring together participants from across the 10 states of South Sudan to work together on this Journey of Healing for National Reconciliation.