Laughter helps heal traumatized survivors of Cameroon’s simmering conflict.
Laughter helps heal traumatized survivors of Cameroon’s simmering conflict
Malawi: community members, park officials seek to resolve differences
By Chares Pensulo LIWONDE, Machinga, Malawi — Annie Shaibu lives a five-minute walk from southern Malawi’s Liwonde National Park, which teems with wildlife. Her family and others in the community depend on […]
Cameroon initiative helps young violent offenders become ‘prisonpreneurs,’ peace builders
The central African nation of Cameroon, like other countries south of the Sahara, is witnessing a steady upsurge in the number of young people in conflict with the law. Some are recruited by criminal gangs or violent extremist groups.
Kenyan Man Breaks Taboo, Builds Pit Latrines for Villagers
From childhood until a few years ago, John Yegon believe that digging a hole in the ground, be it for a latrine or a grave, was taboo. Last year, Yegon learned from a public health officer that most diseases are caused by poor hygiene and sanitation practices and mainly by open defecation. He then embarked on a mission to construct pit latrines from metal sheets and wood for his neighbors at no cost.
Women in Kenya work to keep girls in school by supplying reusable sanitary pads
A women’s organization in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, called Women Development Centre (WODEC) decided last year to start making reusable sanitary towels from locally available materials. WODEC is one of several non-profit groups that are responding to an issue that marginalizes many women and girls.
Fighting to get justice for rape victims in Kenya’s north
In Wajir, a consortium of non-profit groups and government agencies have come together to work against rape and the traditional Maslah system that denies justice to those affected.
Zimbabwe’s Poor Restart
By Barbara Borst — Prominent Zimbabwean attorney and human rights activist Beatrice Mtetwa speaks about the problems with her country’s new constitution and new government. “For us, it’s a very bad start” […]
Preventing Political Violence in Kenya
By Barbara Borst — Violence exploded across Kenya after the disputed presidential elections of December 2007, shocking Kenyans and the world. More than 1,100 people were killed, more than 600,000 […]
Longtime Refugees Grateful for Citizenship in Tanzania
By Barbara Borst — Ulyankulu, Tanzania – Freedom. Happiness. Gratitude. These are words that people here use over and over to describe how they feel about becoming Tanzanian citizens after more than […]
Egypt: Reflections on Revolution
Professor Khaled Fahmy says that Egypt’s transition from autocracy since January 2011 has been difficult because the society is dealing with two large questions simultaneously – one concerns modernization and political change, the other religion and culture.
CIVIC IDEAS 