Christian Youth Association Against Violence and Intolerance.

An organisation promoting tolerance, fellow-feeling and the healing of old wounds, which aims to create a peaceful future through grassroots community activities. The members work to promote Christian values of love for one’s neighbours, tolerance, and mutual forgiveness. They believe that grudges cause violence and instability and that digging up the past revives old tensions – particularly between tribal or ethnic groups. The organisation is currently based in the territory of Uvira in the South Kivu province. They provide training, monitoring and follow-up activities such as community sport, evangelism, leisure activities for young people and peace education.

Youth Community Exchanges

In Uvira, there is little interaction between the Bembe, Fuliru and Bashi tribal communities, allowing conflict to erupt easily. This grassroots project involves young people from different communities and backgrounds in organising events, in an effort to change the constant air of tension into cohesion and cooperation.

Events are planned to involve two or more communities. Volunteer animators work with young people to arrange everything in an atmosphere of faith and mutual trust. After each event, association members invite key community figures to discuss the outcomes and the possibility of arranging further interactions. Finally, local authorities, tribal leaders, young people and women’s leaders are invited to a workshop and a seminar about peace and co-habitation.