The Mt. Elgon region of western Kenya has a history of inter-community conflicts, often fueled by land disputes, political tensions, and deep-seated mistrust between groups. These challenges disproportionately affect the youth, who are frequently drawn into cycles of violence as both victims and perpetrators. Many young people in the area lack access to conflict resolution skills, leaving them ill-equipped to navigate disputes peacefully.
FUM’s Friends Church Peace Team held an Alternatives to Violence Project workshop on Mt. Elgon on December 20–21, 2024. FCPT has been using AVP in Kenya for nearly fifteen years. An AVP basic workshop takes two to three full days, and explores the five pillars of AVP: affirmation, communication, co-operation, community building, and transforming power.
AVP workshops build on everyday experiences and try to help us move away from violent or abusive behavior by developing other ways of dealing with conflicts. They help participants to increase the respect they have for themselves and others. AVP assumes that conflict is a natural and normal part of life, and that it is possible to learn new ways of handling it. By holding workshops in which the participants consider the underlying causes of friction and violence, practical ways of dealing with situations of conflict are worked out.
The Mt. Elgon workshop was well attended, with youth between the ages of 18 to 24 who were vibrant, energetic, and open. Describing the workshop, FCPT coordinator Getry Agizah wrote, “We had a successful completion of the agenda and elaborate discussion. Many shared the hope in their stories and were excited to pick a journey which many people are lacking, a journey of personal peaceful existence. One of the exciting stories was shared by participant Brian Chelasi. On day two of sharing a conflict I resolved non-violently, 20-year-old Brian, a former member of a local gang, shared how his experience with violence had shaped his life. He initially joined the workshop with a defensive attitude, expecting to be judged for his past. However, through sessions on conflict transformation, Brian began to see himself as part of the solution rather than the problem. By the end of the workshop, he committed to leaving his gang and starting a mentorship program for younger boys in his village. ‘I don’t want them to make the same mistakes I did,’ he said, with determination.”
Getry continues, “FCPT’s AVP training is essential because it empowers youth with tools to break this cycle, fostering understanding, empathy, and leadership. By targeting young people, the program nurtures a generation of peacebuilders who can challenge the status quo and inspire others to embrace nonviolence. The stories of transformation from this workshop demonstrate the profound impact of providing youth with a safe space to reflect, heal, and take responsibility for change in their communities.”
