Kujenga Amani Project
Recently, youth in several African countries have taken active steps to hold their governments accountable, contribute to conflict resolutions, and raise awareness about injustice and corruption. This paradigm shift has seen the youth contribute immensely to building and sustaining community peace.
In Tanzania’s coastal regions of Tanga and Mtwara, where youth face violence, conflict, and marginalization, GNRC Tanzania is actively working to empower young people through the Kujenga Amani Project. This initiative, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the Global Network of Religions for Children Foundation (GRCF) in collaboration with Comitato Europeo per la Formazione e l’Agricoltura Onlus (CEFA) and GNRC members, has significantly strengthened youth resilience, leadership, and socio-political inclusion.
School Peace Clubs
One of the key achievements of the Kujenga Amani Project has been the establishment of School Peace Clubs—safe spaces where students learn about ethics, conflict resolution, and gender-based violence prevention. These clubs equip young people with the knowledge and skills to promote peaceful coexistence within their communities.
In 2024, over 2,200 students across Tanga and Mtwara participated in peace clubs. Through interactive peace education sessions, they learned about ethics, conflict resolution, and gender-based violence prevention.
For Omary, a student at Mtimbwani Secondary School in Mkinga District, the Peace Club was a turning point. He shared:
“A peaceful environment promotes development, and without peace, children can’t go to school or engage in other activities. Thus, it is important to promote peace and avoid conflicts.”
Similarly, Neema from Mkoma Secondary School in Mtwara reflected on how the project reshaped her understanding of ethics and law-abiding citizenship.
Sports for Peace
Beyond the classroom, the Kujenga Amani Project has leveraged sports as a tool for peacebuilding through Sports for Peace tournaments. These tournaments, held across several regions, have brought together more than 7,000 youth, promoting co-existence and collaboration while addressing issues such as gender discrimination and drug abuse.
Awareness Workshops
Another remarkable outcome of the project has been its community engagement efforts. Through awareness workshops and roundtable discussions, the initiative reached over 16,500 beneficiaries, including faith leaders, educators, and government officials.
These sessions tackle challenges faced by youth, from unemployment to gender-based violence, and empower local stakeholders to champion peace and social inclusion.
As presented during the GNRC Sixth Forum, the Kujenga Amani Project has transformed individual lives and instilled a lasting culture of youth peace in peacebuilding. As the initiative continues to expand, its impact is enhancing the power of education, dialogue, and sports in building resilient and empowered youth dedicated to shaping a safe, secure, and hopeful world for children.
