Africa Community Impact Organization was founded in 2014 in response to a climate of mistrust and suspicion among tribal communities in South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the town of Bukavu. All efforts at peaceful coexistence between communities, as well as the resumption of life and development after the horrors of war, were undermined by widespread mistrust and suspicion.
One of the goal of Africa Community Impact Organization is to see African communities and African regions live in harmony, with citizens’ rights and duties respected. To that end, it works with people to transform conflicts, promote good governance, and contribute to long-term peace. Africa Community Impact Organization works in three areas to achieve its mission and vision in the department of peace building and conflict prevention.
Conflict transformation: The Africa Community Impact Organization promotes peace education and peaceful coexistence among peasant communities through activities such as mediation, negotiation, and advocacy.
Governance: Africa Community Impact Organization helps local organizations and state institutions build capacity by raising awareness about responsible citizenship, the law, and research.
Africa Community Impact Organization is involved in humanitarian aid, food security, agriculture, water and sanitation, and environmental protection.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Africa Community Impact Organization is changing people’s attitudes and improving their living conditions in conflict zones. Many activities carried out in South and North Kivu have yielded the following results:
1. Reduction of water-borne diseases such as cholera in the following locations by the introduction of the 250 drinking water sources
2. Improved hygiene practices through the use of 530 latrines constructed in schools
3. Improvement of health care by building 17 health centers
4. Improved access to education with the construction of 12 schools
5. Resolution 50 conflicts between farmers and herders
6.Establishment within the tribal communities of legitimate community conflict resolution approaches
7. Dialogue between the Bembe, the Banyamulenge, the Bavira and the Bafuliru communities on the causes of conflicts between them
8.Improved strategies for humanitarian intervention on behalf of returnees in South Kivu from research conducted on the issues
9.Research report on the role of women in armed conflicts, Fizi and Uvira territories
10. Training of 50 local government leaders on the process of decentralization in the DR Congo in general and in Uvira territory in particular.
11. Forums for peace and development.
PREPARED BY JANET ACIO
Partner with Africa Community Impact Organization to prevent conflict and enhance peace building capacity