(Pictures, captions and links added by the Shalom-SCCRR Communication Department)
Introduction
We are all aware, to various degrees, what manifest and structural violence can do if it is not prevented, transformed, settled and resolved. Shalom-SCCRR’s peacebuilding and infrastructural development contributions for communities, families, vulnerable women and children and others needing sustainable livelihood resilience and security in eastern Africa are second to none. Our interventions are particularly evident in research, conflict transformation, peacebuilding, governance, and school/educational infrastructural development projects that empower and actualize basic and ontological human needs.
From the standpoint of the humanitarian-peace-development nexus per se, it is self-evident in African conflict environments where people are killed, maimed and displaced persistently, that essential social and religious values of peace, truth, justice and mercy find it extremely difficult, if at all possible, to take deep communal root. These gospel values are of utmost importance for people to live normal lives, aspiring to the wholeness 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 in freedom to the dignity of human life, security, development and the holistic wellbeing of each other.
In addition, it is also a reality that within the same conflict environments, communities cannot experience sustained development because schools, hospitals, religious amenities, formation facilities and other essential institutional infrastructure periodically become 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 qualified and committed 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-SCCRR’s methodology, process and results enable 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’ through, with and within them. The experience of this ‘Presence’, not only urges us on but empowers us to be 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. Frequently, those living in war situations throughout Africa feel most abandoned by religious and political actors. 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’.
During 2024, Shalom-SCCRR, has enabled and empowered the completion of the following projects:
- 4 Peace Accords signed between previously conflicting ethnic communities through Shalom-SCCRR conflict transformation, peacebuilding and school/educational development interventions.
- 1. Tuum/Parkati, Samburu County (to a lesser extent Turkana County) – A peace agreement was signed between the Turkana and Samburu ethnic communities, immediately impacting approximately 26,200 people directly and 73,000 indirectly.
- 2. Lokitonyala/Loreng’kipi (Turkana and West Pokot Counties) – A peace agreement was signed between the Turkana and Pokot ethnic communities along the border of Turkana and West Pokot Counties, immediately impacting approximately 44,000 people directly and 180,000 indirectly.
- 3. Muhoroni/Tinderet (Kisumu and Nandi Counties) – A peace agreement was signed between Luo and Nandi ethnic communities, immediately impacting approximately 104,000 people and 280,000 indirectly.
- 4. Molo and Kuresoi, Nakuru County – A peace agreement was signed between several ethnic communities (Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Kisii, Luhya, Luo and Kamba), immediately impacting approximately 137,000 people and 415,000 indirectly.
- 245 Workshops on Conflict Transformation analytical skill and Peacebuilding techniques (including 98 for women suffering acute violence) in 36 Conflict Zones in eastern Africa (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/shalom-sccrr-2024-results/)
- 61 School/Educational Development interventions, benefiting 15,477 students in 56 institutions
- 3,047 Influential Opinion Shapers trained with Conflict Transformation Skills-Peacebuilding Techniques, transforming Inter-Tribal Conflict and Religious Ideological Extremism (Terrorism);
- 2,580 Women from Urban Informal Settlements (Slums) trained with Conflict Transformation skills and Peace Building techniques addressing Violence against Women and Children
- 2,232 Women experiencing acute violence living in informal urban settlements (slums), supported with Holistic Livelihood Resilience Capacity through 98 training workshops (https://maryandjosephlifecenter.org/mary-and-joseph-life-center-mjlc-2024-results/)
- The Shalom-SCCRR Prof. W.K. Omoka Research Library in memory of our late Director of Research, continues to develop into a valuable resource for our research and practitioner engagements. He is always remembered with great reverence.
- Prof. Peter Wanyande is the new Shalom-SCCRR Director of Research; Peter is a widely published renowned scholar in Africa and beyond, twice holding the seat of Chairman at the Department of Political Science, University of Nairobi, among other high-profile state and non-state positions. Welcome Prof. Wanyande.
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, peacebuilding and countering religious ideological extremism, not forgetting Shalom-SCCRR’s methodology and vision (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/havard-kennedy-school-conversation-with-rev-dr-patrick-devine-and-paula-soumaya-domit).
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.
Shalom Empowerment Center Addressing Violence against Women and Children, and the Mary and Joseph Life Center
During 2024, these two centers progressively developed 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 continue to train and engage thousands of women influential opinion shapers from10 informal urban settlements (slums) as well as other major Kenyan cities/towns to break 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. As part of the training and empowerment in 2024, a new module on preventing and countering Human and Organ trafficking was introduced (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/shalom-center-for-conflict-resolution-and-reconciliation-sccrr-addressing-the-violence-of-human-and-organ-trafficking/).
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, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Baringo, Nakuru, Kisumu, Isiolo, Nandi, Uasin Gishu- Eldoret, Garissa, Mombasa and Nairobi informal urban settlements (slums). Many of these conflict environments are straddle borders where Kenya’s northern regions interface with Ethiopia, the Ilemi Triangle, Uganda, South Sudan and Somalia. We continue to progress on the Shalom-SCCRR registration processes in Tanzania and the DRC Congo.
In Nairobi’s 10 major impoverished urban settlement areas (slums), where approximately two million plus people live, we engaged significantly and consistently with the residents. One cannot over appreciate the generosity, planning, logistics, professionalism and hard work that were applied in these intervention processes to transform manifest and structural violence. The connectivity between our conflict transformation-peacebuilding interventions and infrastructural development activities, continued to be of critical importance. ‘Shalom-SCCRR’s conflict transformation and peacebuilding interventions empower the emergence of inter-ethnic and inter-religious school/educational development projects. These results, in turn, lead to the stabilization and sustainability of peace and development between former enemies.’
Governance and Fundraising
The board of Shalom-SCCRR (Africa) were dedicated in providing governance leadership, oversight expertise and wisdom during the year. This strong structure, resilience 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 governance, administration, service, and project product delivery.
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 overview contributions of the Shalom-SCCRR board members and management in eastern Africa is ever appreciated. During 2024, 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.
Since the organisation’s founding in Eastern Africa 15 years ago, its registered units, and committees, in the USA, Republic of Ireland, N. Ireland and Britain have provided over 90% of our funding (https://shalomconflictcenter.org/shalom-sccrr-15-years-results-and-achievements/). This support further strengthened Shalom-SCCRR’s resolve and commitment to its vision and mission during 2024. 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 work-ethic process within the organization is constantly appraised in respect to governance, performance, authenticity, growth and collaboration to ensure the organization’s high operational standards. These standards are recognized nationally, regionally, and globally as evident in UN accreditation and invitational attention from universities and other relevant institutions around the world (Shalom-SCCRR’s accreditation to the United Nations (UN). The Shalom-SCCRR approach, with its emphasis on community leadership, stakeholder participation, high technical competency, logic models, results frameworks, stories of change and advocacy linkages continues to receive acclaimed international profile in the context of current best practice within both the peacebuilding and development sectors.
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. Dr. Oliver Noonan PhD, Executive Director, for his stewardship, project oversight and administration. The gratitude of the board also extends to the Senior Project Officer, Godfrey Okoth MA, (PhD Candidate), Esther Kibe (MA), lead project officer at the Shalom Empowerment Center (SEC) and the Mary and Joseph Life Center (MJLC), Francis Mwangi role in the department of Monitor-Evaluation-Reporting-Learing (MERL), and the whole Shalom-SCCRR team and 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), his assistant accountant Remy Ndiema CPA (Certified Public Accountants), B.BM, and all involved in auditing our accounts, for their integrity, professionalism and rigour.
As a result of the past 15 years’ work, the lives of hundreds of thousands of men, women, children and families, living previously in dire conflict and underdeveloped circumstances, have been sustainably 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.
Engaging the Future with Optimism, and Dynamism
As a process, ‘Shalom-SCCRR’ 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.
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.
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 be indifferent or do nothing. 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, let me assure all that Shalom-SCCRR will continue to be diligent in fulfilling our objectives to the highest standards in the years ahead.
There are no limits to the positive interventions that can be made to bring about sustainable peace, development and reconciliation. As Jesus from Nazareth once said, ‘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 the dignity of human life and survival, environmental security, and provide the utmost opportunity to experience the ‘Divine Holy Spirit’ in all its vitality.
SHALOM, SALAAM, SALAMU, SALEM,
Rev. Patrick Devine PhD
Chairman, Shalom-SCCRR, Kenya-Africa
SHALOM-SCCRR TEAM IN AFRICA DURING 2024
Board of Directors
Rev. Dr. Patrick Devine, Chairman
Ms. Rosaline Serem, MBA, Board Member, (Kenya)
Dr. Michael Comerford, Board Member, (South Sudan)
Rev. Dr. Oliver Noonan, Executive Board Member
Mr. Sean White, MSC, Board Member (Kenya)
Rev. Janus Machota, BA, (MA Candidate), Board Member, (Tanzania)
Management
Rev. Dr. Oliver Noonan, Executive Director
Prof. Peter Wanyande, PhD, Director of Research
Mr. Godfrey Okoth MA (PhD Candidate), MA, Senior Project Officer
Ms. Esther Kibe, MA, Project Officer, Team Leader
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
Mr. Kennedy Odhiambo, MA, Project Officer
Mr. Moses Osiro, MA, Project Assistant
Ms. Habiba Dika, BA (MA Candidate), Shalom-SCCRR In-Training Capacity Program
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
Mr. Ken Otieno Dipl. PPM, Transport /Logistics Coordinator
International Volunteer Consultants
| International Volunteer Consultants | Background Experience |
| Rev. Prof. Emmanuel Tembo | DRC Congo and Great Lakes Region |
| Ms. Paula Soumaya Domit, MA | United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, UNIDIR |
| Mrs. Nancy Mirera, MA | Counselor-Psychology, Mental Health Worker, Mediator in A.D.R |
| Mr. Collin Fortes, MA | International Business, SRH Hochschule Berlin; BA International Relations with French. Loughborough University, IEP Lyon. Tanzania, East Africa |
| Ms. Matilda Brolin, LLM | Harvard Law School, Embassy of Sweden to the Democratic Republic of Congo |
| 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 |
| Ms. Sheena McMullen, MA | Peace and Reconciliation Studies, N. Ireland/UK |
| Ms. Fabiana Pardi Otamendi, LLM | UN Human Rights, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, France |
| Dr. Conrad Bosire | Constitutionalism and Devolution, Kenya, East Africa |
