The value of peace: a thoughtful conversation with Amala Changemaker alumnus, pacifist and deep thinker, Samuel

Samuel is a 24 year old refugee living in Kakuma Refugee Camp, whose experiences have shown him the deep need for peace in this war-torn world. As a firm believer in the power of education and community in the journey towards healing and reconstruction, he is currently working on the development of a learning centre geared towards providing refugees with accessible courses and marketable skills that they can then implement into their lives. On top of this, he also volunteers at an organisation that offers psychological support to refugees, participates in projects to raise awareness around the issues faced by refugees in Kakuma, and actively mentors younger members of his community. 

Finding peace

During our interview, Samuel expresses how deeply affected he was by the violence he fled from in his home country.

…it took me years to understand and cope with people. I didn't want to be associated with them because I was angry… because of what happened in South Sudan, I used to hate those who were responsible… I had lost many people, that's why I was angry and lonely, and it took me almost forever to let go.”

As an older brother, as well as a mentor and academic tutor to the younger members in his community, he finds it important to break these cycles of anger and hatred for the sake of future generations. He continued to explain that he found that there is nothing more corrosive to the mind and soul than hate and bitterness, and that it is for this reason that he seeks to promote peace, not only in the world, but within each individual. It was from this position that he decided to join the Amala Peacebuilding Changemaker Course in 2021, as he sought to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for creating a positive impact in his community.

For Samuel, Amala was more than a chance to supplement his education; it was a space for personal growth, and thus, a step towards healing. For him “the people I met from Amala became my friends, and the knowledge that I gained from Amala helped me to understand myself better… they inspired me to forgive myself and focus on my future.” 

“The community that I built [at Amala was] there for me when I didn't expect anyone… it happened that they came to know me and understand me better than anyone.”

He explains how Amala’s attention to the real-world application of its curriculum, —including skills such as conflict analysis, project management, critical thinking, and leadership styles— not only makes it unique within the educational system, but also empowers its students to take charge of both, their own wellbeing, and that of the community’s. “That's what makes a certificate from Amala really powerful.”

Before joining the programme he had felt that it was only elders who had the capacity to solve problems, something which made him feel stuck, as he felt he wasn’t experienced enough to help himself or others. It was at Amala that he came to the freeing realisation that anyone with the necessary skills and knowledge could bring solutions to any situation.

A new perspective

For his personal Amala project, Samuel decided to focus on peacebuilding, and bringing conflict resolution to disputes within the community. As his partners dispersed to pursue more lucrative opportunities, however, the initiative never got off the ground, so Samuel decided to change gears and start fresh.

Now, along with his new business partner Ngunar Biel, Samuel is working on a project they call “LEER Learning Center of Hope,” where they hope to run various programmes and courses that teach marketable skills to those in need. The centre will primarily focus on technical skills such as computing, coding, graphic design, film, photography, and editing. He intends to run the project in an area that does not have easily accessible spaces to study these types of skills, as he knows that physical distance is a common obstacle between many and their education. “My goal is to make sure no one is left behind in terms of study or work. Everyone deserves to learn and live in peace.”

He believes that the reason most people get stuck, often leading to them acting against the common good, is because they become idle; and that teaching such skills will help them to earn an honest living, and strengthen and promote peace within the community.

With all the planning done, Samuel is now focused on seeking out partners and applying for grants, with the aim to raise the necessary funds to get the learning centre up and running as soon as possible.

“Our dream is to change our life situation, that of other people, and make sure our kids who are raised in our community will be living in a different situation.”

Samuel’s commitment to these ideals is further exemplified by his work as a facilitator and counselling coach at a community based organisation called Hope Life Building, which runs counselling programmes, offers psychological support to those in need, and advocates for the rights of refugees and host communities. 

An active member of his community, he also participated in a DW FilmAid International programme in 2020. This Sikika project was designed to bring awareness to various problems within the community through film. Although the programme was primarily focusing on COVID-19 when Samuel took part, it also tackles issues such as school drop-out rates, early pregnancy, forced marriages, water shortage, etc. These short films are then presented to the community so that Sikika can get feedback on the nuances of the challenges, and develop practical solutions that can then be implemented by the people facing them. Another effect of these videos is to shed light on the pain points in the community so that other organisations, such as LWF or Child Protection, know where their help is needed the most.

“... and it's really working. Many children are in schools now because somehow we gave them that hope of not giving up in the school. In short we unlocked the door for them.”

Samuel’s future

For now, Samuel continues to work hard for his community; and although his plate is currently full between building his project, volunteering, tutoring and helping support his family, he hopes to someday pursue further education to continue building on the topics he explored at Amala. “I believe that continuing to build my knowledge and expertise in [Peace Studies, Conflict Resolution and Ethical Leadership] would enable me to make a more significant impact in promoting peace and positive change.”

When asked to share a message to the world from Amala, Samuel tells us to “remember that peace is not merely the absence of violence but a proactive pursuit of harmony, justice, and empathy. It starts within each of us, as we cultivate compassion, respect, and a willingness to listen to diverse perspectives. May the lessons learned at Amala serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us that we each have the capacity to contribute to a more peaceful and equitable world. Let peace be our compass, unity our strength, and ethical leadership our guiding light.”