Youth Peace Camp – Rwanda

Our very first peace camp was held in November 2010 in Nyange - we brought 48 youth and mentors from 6 secondary schools across Rwanda (operated by the Association of Baptist Churches of Rwanda) for one week of shared learning, fun, personal and spiritual enrichment. It was a unique opportunity to empower and stand in solidarity with a key group of youth who have already exhibited leadership in their school, church or community and are working to build peace in a country that still faces great challenges as it struggles to heal and rebuild. The majority of these youth come from poor, rural regions that are often ignored or underserved. They lack access to training and networking opportunities – till now!

See photos from our first peace camp, held in 201o, in Nyange.

Photos and news from Peace Camp 2011, held in Gisenyi, border town of Rwanda and DR Congo.

Photos and news about Peace Camp 2012, held in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda.

What Do We Do at Camp?

Camp Overview: We believe that at the heart of all learning is experience. Peace Camp is designed accordingly. Most of the learning took place in small groups and through interactive methods such as role play games and mapping, sports, art, dance, song and drama, to encourage creative thinking and dialogue.

Daily workshops

Camp participants  receive hands-on skills training in: conflict transformation and peer mediation; media and communications – with an emphasis on character development and scriptwriting (radio/film), art therapy and photography; health and trauma counselling; community development and entrepreneurship.

Special events

We have screenings of films by young filmmakers with Almond Tree Films Rwanda, as well as special guests who share their personal experience in peace-building, and lots of fun activities like camp fire nights to share stories, jokes, songs and dances, and the Peace Olympics.

Photo credit: Johnny Lam Photography/A Peace of Life

Field trips and community service

One day is dedicated to a field trip, to reinforce learning, provide practical experience and build solidarity. In 2012, we had the opportunity to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre (pictured above). It was a deeply emotional day and a time to reaffirm our commitment to build peace.

In 2010, we held a solidarity walk to Ecole Secondaire de Nyange, a significant site where students refused to separate. 13 were killed. We were thrilled to be joined by Phaneul S., a living Rwandan hero, one of the student survivors, as we commemorated the courage of those who gave their lives for peace. See photos. In 201o and 2011, we planted trees as a gift to our host school and to learn more about the link between peace and environment sustainability.

photo credit: Johnny Lam Photography/A Peace of Life

Peace Poetry, Dance, Song

Youth create and perform poems, songs and dances to spread the message of peace and what they have learned. See more on our YouTube channel.

See some examples.

Personal Reflection

Peace starts within! Each day we have a time of reflection, to nurture spiritual development , a crucial aspect to sustainable peace-building! Reflection is needed to review what has been learned and consider personal applications. Youth keep personal journals and create skits to share what their most powerful learning moments have been.

Peace Camp 2011

In 2011, we brought almost 80 youth and their mentors together for our second annual peace camp. This time it was held in Gisenyi, on the shores of Lake Kivu. We were thrilled to have a few participants join us from the DR Congo, right across the border.  See more photos

photo credit: Johnny Lam Photography/A Peace of Life

Peace Camp 2012

In 2012, we brought together over 60 youth and camp leaders from across Rwanda as well as a team of youth leaders from neighbouring DR Congo and volunteers from Canada and Kenya. We enjoyed a jam-packed six days of interactive learning on conflict and conflict transformation, peer to peer counselling basics in mental health and trauma, art therapy, character development for radio scripts, and self-help group basics. See more photos and news.

photo credit: Johnny Lam Photography/A Peace of Life

What’s next?

We have learned a lot along the way and look forward to providing an annual peace camp as well as ongoing follow-up activities with participating youth, schools and peace clubs. We need your help. Provide life-changing opportunities for youth. Help them to get together and gain skills and encouragement in their peace-building efforts. Make a donation today !