Eastern Africa

Chairman’s Report for 2023; Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine.

By April 22, 2024 July 3rd, 2024 No Comments

www.shalomconflictcenter.org

(Pictures and captions added by the Shalom-SCCRR Communication Department)

Introduction

We are all aware, to various degrees, what manifest and latent conflict can do if it is not prevented, transformed, settled or resolved. Shalom-SCCRR’s peacebuilding and infrastructural development contributions for ethnic groups, communities, families, vulnerable women and children and others needing sustainable livelihood resilience and security in eastern Africa are second to none.  Our interventions are evident in research, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, school-educational and other infrastructural development projects, enabling the empowerment and actualization of basic human and ontological needs. 

From the standpoint of the humanitarian-peace-development nexus per se, it is self-evident that in African conflict environments where people are killed, maimed and displaced persistently, it is extremely difficult, if at all possible, for essential social and religious values of peace, truth, justice and mercy to take deep communal root. One can justifiably claim that these values cannot take deep communal root in such persistent manifest violent conflict environments because of the extremely unstable, volatile conditions. These gospel values are of utmost importance for people to live normal lives aspiring to the fulfillment of conflict resolution, sustainable peace, and reconciliation. Reconciliation, as a process, acknowledges the past, reframes the present, and envisions a future where all sides are mutually committed to the freedom, human dignity, security, development, and holistic well-being of each other.  

In addition, it is also a reality that within the same conflict environments, communities cannot experience sustained development because periodically schools, hospitals, religious amenities, formation facilities and other essential institutional infrastructure become either anomalous, inoperable, or destroyed.  Will we be forever rebuilding/rehabilitating development institutions and be morally and ethically indebted or legally obliged to operationalize humanitarian interventions and aid?  Yes, if we are not committed, qualified, and engaged in addressing the underlying causes of conflict and bringing about the necessary transformation to end manifest and structural violence, leading to sustainable peace where reconciliation is nurtured persistently.

Moreover, and of incomparable significance, Shalom-SCCRRs methodology, process and results enables the opportunity for people living in transformed stable environments, as individuals and communities, to experience the gift of ‘God’s Spirit and Peace’ – the ‘Divine Presence’ with and within them.  The experience of this ‘Presence’, not only urges us on but empowers us to be the transformers of conflict, the architects of reconciled societies centered on nurturing authentic life-giving relationships with God, our neighbor, oneself and creation. During the course of our lives, this profound experience liberates us from being overpowered by the experience, effects and knowledge of conflict and war. The experience of the ‘Divine Holy Spirit’ endows us with faith, hope and charity in our daily existence, to actively bloom where we are planted in caring for all humankind and their environments, realizing peace and reconciliation, enroute to an eternity in the ‘Peace of the Divine Presence’.

Austin Ngacha MA, Shalom-SCCRR Project Officer and Fr. Oliver Noonan MA (PhD Candidate), Shalom-SCCRR’s Executive Director in Merikuka, Kokuro in the contested terrain of the Ilemi Triangle, conducting an educational forum with key community personnel on the four dimensions of conflict transformation (Personal, Relational, Structural and Cultural).

During 2023, Shalom-SCCRR, has enabled and empowered the completion of the following projects:

Mr. Lukka Chepe, Shalom-SCCRR trained Community Resource Person (CRP), facilitating an elders’ forum in Gas, Marsabit County, northern Kenya.

Immense thanks to so many dedicated generous supporters, workers, volunteers, and participants from conflict environments, whose solidarity and commitment underpin these accomplishments. All charitable donations that we receive are treated with utmost respect and prudence, providing exceptional return and satisfaction.  Together we are making an enormous and meaningful direct and long-term difference.  Numerous renowned International Universities in Eastern Africa and worldwide have benefited from modules-lectures addressing conflict transformation and countering religious ideological extremism, not forgetting Shalom-SCCRR’s accreditation to the United Nations (UN) for its integrity, methodology and vision (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/havard-kennedy-school-conversation-with-rev-dr-patrick-devine-and-paula-soumaya-domit/).

Shalom-SCCRR’s Moses Osiro MA, facilitating an insertion community educational forum on Paradigms of Conflict Analysis with Morans (Warriors) from Arapal, Marsabit County.

The Shalom vision: “A society where peace, justice and reconciliation prevails throughout Africa” inspires our mission which is “To work for a society free of physical violence and unjust social structures in Africa.” The core objective of Shalom-SCCRR is to attain conflict transformation and reconciliation for the people of Africa, evidenced by sustainable peace and integral human development.

The Executive Director of Shalom-SCCRR, Fr. Oliver Noonan MA (PhD Candidate), engaging Shalom Peace Group members on the progress of peacebuilding, school/educational development and other community-based projects that Shalom has been implementing in Samburu County.

Shalom Empowerment Center Addressing Violence against Women and Children, and the Mary and Joseph Life Center

During 2023 these two centers developed and advanced in realizing their vision and objectives. Violent environments generate enormous suffering with women and children disproportionately bearing the brunt more often than not. The social conditions and challenges that women and children face on a daily basis in impoverished urban settlements and other marginalized remote locations, are extremely arduous and protracted. We actively train and engage hundreds of women influential opinion shapers in working towards breaking the vicious cycle of conflict in these locations. Since its founding, Shalom-SCCRR has focused on addressing issues of women and children (born and unborn) rights to their dignity, safety and livelihood security.

Shalom-SCCRR’s International Chairman engaging key influential women leaders from Riruta urban informal settlements on their role as agents of transforming the key drivers of violence against women and children in their living environments.
Shalom-SCCRR’s Ms. Esther Kibe MA, Women’s Project Officer, facilitating a training session with women from Dagoretti urban informal settlements on negotiation and mediation techniques and skills.
Mrs. Judith Akedi MA, Shalom-SCCRR Women and Children’s Project Officer, empowering women with conflict transformation skills in Lorgum, Turkana County (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/empowering-women-to-transform-conflict-with-expertise-shalom-sccrrs-initiatives-in-conflict-affected-areas-of-northern-kenya/).
Shalom-SCCRR’s Ms. Ilhan Ali BA, (MA Candidate) engaging and training women leaders at Kibish on their invaluable role in resolving all forms of conflict in the ‘Ilemi Triangle’, a semi-arid and conflict prone area where Shalom-SCCRR interventions are intensive.
Ms. Rose Anyango, MJLC’s Sonographer, conducting an ultrasound session for one of the thousands of women Shalom-SCCRR assists, while discussing the dynamics of the procedure and its benefits with Shalom’s Ms. Esther Kibe MA, Lead Project Officer, MJLC and Ms. Ilhan Ali BA (MA Candidate).
Sr. Sarah Ngigi KRCHN, MJLC’s Nursing and Counseling Officer, with a group of expectant mothers after they had received ultrasound services at the center. The mothers are also taken through educational sessions on dignity of human life, livelihood resilience and responsible motherhood, among other educational workshops offered at MJLC.
Mrs. Nancy Mirera MA, MJLC’s Counseling Psychologist and Mental Health Expert facilitating an educational workshop on the importance of seeking psycho-social support to a group of youths from the urban informal settlements (slums).

Shalom-SCCRR Objectives Operationalised

In line with the overall policy directions from the Shalom-SCCRR Board of Directors in Africa, our objectives were operationalised in 36 conflict zones where manifest and structural violence, religious ideological extremism, and violence against women and children needed to be transformed. Shalom-SCCRR’s humanitarian/peace/development/health interventions concentrated mainly on inter-ethnic and inter-religious communities in Turkana, West Pokot, Samburu, Marsabit, Nakuru, Kisumu, Isiolo, Nandi, Uasin Gishu- Eldoret, Garissa, Mombasa and Nairobi informal urban settlements (slums). Many of these conflict environments straddle borders where Kenya’s northern regions interface with Ethiopia, the Ilemi Triangle, Uganda, South Sudan, and Somalia. We made our first intervention into the conflict zones of DRC Congo during the course of the year (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/democratic-republic-of-the-congo-drc-shalom-center-for-conflict-resolution-and-reconciliation-sccrr-outreach-intervention-for-peace-a-dream-that-is-becoming-true/).

Shalom-SCCRR Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning and Project Implementation teams, conducting a consultative forum with local government administrators in the conflict-prone Kerio Valley. The forum aimed at identifying best strategies for conflict transformation/peacebuilding and sustainable development (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/shalom-sccrr-intervenes-on-an-urgent-mission-to-transform-the-persistent-violent-conflict-among-the-marakwet-pokot-and-tugen-living-in-kerio-valley-kenya/).

In Nairobi’s impoverished urban settlement areas (slums), where approximately two million plus people live, we engaged substantively and consistently and with the residents. One cannot over appreciate the generosity, planning, logistics, professionalism and hard work that were applied in these intervention processes on the frontlines of manifest and structural violence. The connectivity between our conflict transformation-peacebuilding interventions and infrastructural development activities, including attention to ongoing threats from Covid-19, continued to be of critical importance.

An aerial view of Mathare slums, one of ten of Nairobi’s informal settlements (slums) where Shalom-SCCRR works. The conflict dynamics and causes in these situations are linked to Marginalization, structural violence, negative ethnicity, religious extremism, electoral violence, violence against women and children among others.
Shalom-SCCRR’s Mrs, Judith Akedi MA, Mr. Austin Macharia MA, Ms. Ilhan Ali BA (MA Candidate), and Ms. Paula Soumaya Domit, a Master’s in Public Policy Candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, during her internship at Shalom, facilitating a negotiation forum with the youth leaders from Korogocho urban informal settlements, Nairobi.

Governance and Fundraising

The Board of Shalom-SCCRR (Africa) were dedicated and thorough in providing governance leadership, oversight expertise and wisdom during the year. This strong structure and leadership underpin our performance, growth, authenticity and collaborations in delivering on the organization’s vision, mission, methodology and core values. As always, our accounts were audited in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (1SAs) and International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants (IESBA code). The recent independently approved audited accounts are a core instrument in demonstrating the quality of Shalom-SCCRR’s governance, administration and project product delivery.

Shalom-SCCRR’s Kennedy Akoko MA, Esther Kibe MA, Sr. Jovalet Ariho BA (MA Candidate) and Kennedy Odour Dipl.with key local tribal influential opinion shapers in Tuum, Samburu County. Senior Chief Mr. Alfredo Leriano of Tuum Location, is sharing at this peacebuilding intervention on the inter-ethnic conflict between the Samburu and Turkana parties.

External fundraising, in collaboration with the contributions of local communities, to facilitate the realization of our vision and mission is critically important for success. The insightful enlightenment of the Shalom-SCCRR board members and management in eastern Africa is ever appreciated and respected. During 2023, we continued our close relationship and support to the fundraising efforts of our affiliate branches around the world. We welcome the ever-increasing number of corporate and individual donors to our support units. The gratitude of Shalom-SCCRR in Africa and that of our beneficiary communities is immense.

Shalom-SCCRR’s Judith Akedi MA, facilitating a community educational forum on the key elements of reconciliation (Truth, Mercy, Justice, and Peace) in Loya, Turkana County, northern Kenya.

Appreciation to our Donors and Supporters

We are ever grateful to all donors, partners and stakeholders all over the world who continue supporting the work of Shalom-SCCRR. Since the organisation’s founding in Eastern Africa, its registered units, and committees, in the USA, Republic of Ireland, N. Ireland and Britain have provided over 90% of our funding. This support further strengthened Shalom-SCCRR’s resolve and commitment to its vision and mission during 2023. We also continued the consolidation and updating of our organizational governance and range of policies to ensure good practice, accountability, effectiveness, transparency, and integrity. Institutional strength is critically important because it impacts directly the work we do in conflict environments. The whole work-ethic process within the organization is constantly appraised in respect to governance, performance, authenticity, growth and collaboration.

Shalom-SCCRR International Chairman, joined Ms. Paula Soumaya Domit, a Master’s in Public Policy Candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, in witnessing the delivery of school materials funded by Shalom-SCCRR, to Enkusero Sampu Primary & Junior Sec. School, located in the semi-arid pastoral area mostly inhabited by the Maasai Community, in Kajiado County, Kenya.
Shalom-SCCRR logistics team unloading equipment after a long and tough journey to Kokuro Primary School located in a remote marginalized area in Turkana County. The school lacks essential teaching and learning materials and furniture for pupils.  Delighted pupils from the school through their head teacher Mr. Serem, stated. “We are forever grateful to Shalom and its donors around the world”.
Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, visiting the village where a new school will be funded and completed this year by Shalom and the local people for 200 children in Turkana County; they are standing outside the old classroom with a teacher and construction worker, (beside Fr. Patrick’s car which he has been using since the mid 1990s!!). This school will be another immense help for families, nurturing hope, socioeconomic development and countering conflict. Shalom-SCCRR has completed almost 700 school/educational development projects since 2009.

The Shalom-SCCRR team is ever diligent in maintaining the organization’s high operational standards that are recognized nationally, regionally, and globally as evident in its prestigious accreditation by the UN and invitational attention from universities and other relevant institutions around the world. The approach, with its emphasis on community leadership, stakeholder participation, high technical competency, logic models, results frameworks, stories of change and advocacy linkages has received international profile acknowledgement in the context of current best practice within both the peacebuilding and development sectors.

Shalom-SCCRR’s Senior Project Officer, Mr. Godfrey Okoth MA and Ms. Ilhan Ali BA (MA Candidate), facilitating group discussions with local key opinion leaders, to map the best intervention strategies for addressing inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflict in several locations of Likoni constituency, Mombasa County.

Appreciation to our Management and Team Members

Our gratitude goes to Shalom-SCCRR’s management and team members for their accountability and dedication to high standards during the year. The board again offers its deep appreciation to Rev. Oliver Noonan MA, (PhD Candidate) Executive Director, for his professionalism in stewardship, project oversight and administration. The gratitude of the board also extends to the Senior Project Officer, Godfrey Okoth MA, (PhD Candidate), Mrs. Judith Akedi Otsieno MA and Esther Kibe (MA), lead project officers at the Shalom Empowerment Center (SEC) and the Mary and Joseph Life Center (MJLC), the whole Shalom-SCCRR team and all organizational partners, for their conflict transformation/peacebuilding research, fieldwork, school-educational development projects supervision, monitoring-evaluation-recording-learning, communication, and the quality of progress accomplished during the year. Our appreciation extends to our finance department and accountant Kipkoech Kipruto ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), (B. Com candidate), his assistant accountant Remy Ndiema CPA (Certified Public Accountants), B.BM, and all involved in auditing our accounts, for their integrity, professionalism and rigour.

Francis Mwangi MA, Shalom-SCCRR Monitoring Evaluation and Learning team, engaging participants from Suiyan in Samburu County, in a session on community-focused conflict monitoring and intervention.
Shalom-SCCRR’s Senior Project Officer, Mr. Godfrey Okoth MA, continues to engage community leaders on their role in the problem solving process being implemented in Tuum and Parkati areas.

As a result of the past 14 years’ work, the lives of hundreds of thousands of men, women, children and families, living previously in dire conflict and underdeveloped circumstances, have been constructively transformed. You have had an enormous positive influence on the livelihood resilience of present and future generations providing human security and joyful hope. Because of the work of Shalom-SCCRR, it is innumerable the number of individuals, families, and communities who are alive and well today, experiencing the fulfilment of living in more just and stable societies. They are increasingly able to meet their basic human and ontological needs, actualize their potential, interact with the ‘Divine’, and the environment in a wholesome, tolerant, inclusive and reconciled manner (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/LV-14-Years-of-Shalom-SCCRR-Report.pdf).

Shalom-SCCRR’s Mr. John Kennedy Akoko MA, facilitating a training workshop for Security personnel (police) at Marti in Samburu County. Shalom-SCCRR is implementing various conflict transformation, peacebuilding and school/educational development projects in this volatile area.

Engaging the Future with Optimism, Judiciousness and Dynamism

As a process, ‘Shalom’ is about achieving integral human security and development among and between people. All of us, together, can bring about deep-rooted transformation and resolution of conflict-generating factors and structures-institutions, through rigorous research, conflict management training, peace education, problem-solving workshops, developing inter-ethnic and inter-religious infrastructural projects – especially educational institutions and other ‘human rights’ edifying initiatives (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/human-rights-and-development-shalom-sccrrs-intervention-methodology-in-pursuit-of-sustainable-peace-within-eastern-africa-conflict-zones/).

Shalom-SCCRR’s Mr. Arthur Magero MA, interacting with Peace Club Members from Kalyet Primary School in Nandi County, along the Kisumu-Nandi borderline. The borderline had previously been characterized by acts of burning of houses, destruction of polling stations, killing, maiming and displacement of families. This training empowered the pupils with skills for prevention of election-related violence.
Ms. Paula Soumaya Domit, a Master’s in Public Policy Candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and Shalom-SCCRR’s Judith Akedi MA facilitating a peace education activity with pupils from Morijo Mixed Secondary School in Morijo, Samburu County. The trained peace club members will continue championing for change of attitudes and behavior within their schools and communities from violence to coexistence, tolerance and harmonious inter-communal development.
Shalom-SCCRR’s Ms. Ilhan Ali (MA Candidate), and Mr. Moses Osiro MA, with pupils from Valley Bridge Primary School [located at the interface of Mathare and Kariobangi Slums], facilitating a participatory session to establish conflict causes and the corresponding manifestations within school and community.

The Shalom-SCCRR vision points to adherence to the right long-term policies in our approach to conflict resolution and reconciliation, resisting to settle for ‘short term political quick fixes’ or the transient gains of myopic insular partisanship. Many people in remote, violent and poverty-stricken environments are waiting to experience ‘Shalom’. Right long-term policies should always take precedence over the lure of mere myopic short-term political agendas.

Ms. Esther Kibe MA, Shalom-SCCRR’s Women’s Officer interacts with women from in Marsabit County (Northern Kenya), who were trained on the peace building techniques suitable for conflict transformation in their area.
Shalom-SCCRR’s Arthur Magero MA, empowering Turkana women from Marti, Samburu County, on intervention frameworks for conflict prevention in their areas.

We should keep in mind that a key factor needed for evil to triumph, whether in the form of violence, injustices, deceit, maliciousness or envy, is for good people to do nothing; theory without practice is empty and practice without theory is blind. From a short and a long-term perspective, being an armchair general or parasitically sitting on the fence while millions suffer from manifest conflict and marginalization is an appalling indictment. In thanking our donors again and those who offer prayers and well-wishes, let me assure you all that Shalom-SCCRR will continue to be diligent in fulfilling our vision, mission and objectives to the highest standards in the years ahead.

Shalom-SCCRR Team with Shalom trained local peace actors along the Turkana/West Pokot borderline, Kenya, celebrating a successful Peacebuilding intervention. These empowered Peace actors will continue implementing peace work by applying knowledge, skills and techniques imparted by Shalom-SCCRR.
Shalom-SCCRR team members and empowered peace practitioners celebrating successful ‘peacebuilding interventions’ along the Kisumu-Nandi border in Muhoroni-Tinderet settlement areas. These empowered local peace actors will carry on peace work in the absence of the Shalom team. Shalom will remain a friend and mentor –ever available to support the communities on their path to peace if need be (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/shalom-sccrr-school-and-educational-institutions-along-the-kisumu-nandi-borderline-in-kenya-contributed-immensely-to-its-conflict-transformation-and-peacebuilding-mediation/).

There are no limits to the positive interventions that can be made to bring about sustainable peace, development and reconciliation. We all need continual assistance, education and formation in order to know what makes for peace! As Jesus from Nazareth once said in another context (Luke 19;41-42), ‘if this day you only knew what makes for peace’.

Our conflict transformation, peacebuilding and integral human development interventions going forward will center on acknowledging the past, reframing the present, and envisioning a future built on the authentic realization of Shalom-SCCRR’s vision and mission. The road to peace is not easy but the quest is essential in order to sustain human dignity and survival, environmental security, and provide the utmost opportunity to experience the ‘Divine Holy Spirit’ in all its vitality.

SHALOM, SALAAM, SALEM, SALAMU,

Rev. Patrick Devine PhD

Chairman, Shalom-SCCRR, Kenya-Africa


SHALOM-SCCRR TEAM IN AFRICA DURING 2023

Board of Directors

Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, Chairman

Prof. Peter Wanyande, PhD, Board Member (Eastern Africa -Research)

Dr. Michael Comerford, Board Member, (South Sudan)

Rev. Oliver Noonan MA (PhD Candidate), Executive Director

Ms. Rosaline Serem, MBA, Board Member, (Kenya)

Mr. Sean White, MSC, Board Member (Kenya)

Rev. Janus Machota, BD, BA (MA Candidate), Board Member, (Tanzania)

Management

Mr. Godfrey Okoth MA (PhD Candidate), MA, Senior Project Officer

Mrs. Judith Akedi-Otsieno MA, Project Officer, Team Leader

Mr. Francis Mwangi MA, M.E.R.L Officer

Mr. Austin Ngacha, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader

Mr. Arthur Magero, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader

Ms. Esther Kibe, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader

Mr. Kennedy Odhiambo, MA, Project Officer

Mr. Moses Osiro, MA, Project Assistant

Ms. Ilhan Ali Salah, BA (MA Candidate), Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program

Sr. Jovalet Ariho BA (MA Candidate), Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program

Mr. Kipkoech Kipruto, B.Com., ACCA, Accountant

Mr. Remmy Ndiema, B.BM, CPA, Accountant

Ms. Vivian Adhiambo Omondi, BA (MA Candidate), Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program

Mr. Ken Otieno Dipl. PPM, Transport /Logistics Coordinator

Interns

Ms. Jacinta Nyambura Njeri, BA (MA Candidate), Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program

Mr. Salomon Ajua M’bekemoja, BA (MA Candidate), Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program

International Volunteer Consultants                 Background Experience

Ms. Paula Soumaya Domit,MA            Harvard Kennedy School, Masters of Public Policy Program

Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Tembo                DRC Congo and Great Lakes Region

Mrs. Nancy Mirera, MA                       Counselor-Psychology, Mental Health Worker, Mediator in A.D.R

Rev. Dominic Wabwireh, MA             Society of African Missions, International Media Center, ISCPA Paris – Institut supérieur des médias

Mr. Patrick Geysen, MA                      Former Deputy Head of EU Delegation, Djibouti

Mr. Collin Fortes MA                           International Business, SRH Hochschule Berlin. BA International Relations with French, Loughborough University, IEP Lyon. Tanzania, East Africa.

Ms. Sheena McMullen, MA                 Peace and Reconciliation Studies, N. Ireland/UK

Mr. Andrés Oviedo, MA                      International Relations, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona). Postgraduate Studies in Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and Culture of Peace. Liaison Officer at the United Nations Verification Mission in Colombia (UNVMC).

Ms. Matilda Brolin, LLM.                    Harvard Law School, Embassy of Sweden to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ms. Fabiana Pardi Otamendi, LLM      Harvard Law School, UN Human Rights, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, France

Dr. Conrad Bosire                                Constitutionalism and Devolution, Kenya, East Africa

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