www.pajankenya.blogspot.com
Kenya – Kenya Pastoralist Journalist Network (KPJN) works o demobilize and rehabilitate armed youths, to use ex-combatant (youths) as role model to society, to bring peace and harmony in North Eastern Kenya, to involve women and youths in various campaigns like peace buildings, climate change, human rights, women rights, indigenous rights, female genital mutilation and to empower rehabilitated ex-combatants through business incubation and empowerment programs.
So far, KPJN has rehabilitated 500 ex-combatants back into the society after many years of taking part in conflict. The program assists the rehabilitated ex-combatants to get business skills, opportunities and integrate themselves in various livestock markets, so that they can trade and make a living. After the training, the ex-combatants will apply for government managed youth fund, which will enable them to continue to grow their businesses. This program will act as a role model project for other active combatants in the field, and who are causing deaths, destructions, displacement and armed attacks.
Grants
- September 2009 – $4,652 for workshops that will introduce the rehabilitated ex-combatants to business skills, opportunities, tactics, and business plans. GPA is excited to fund this work because it is focused on youth and alternatives to violence and it has already helped for a partnership between KPJN and Uzima Foundation, another GPA partner in Kenya.
- August, 2010- $4,900 to continue and expand Wajir youth business training which paired ex-combatants with local village youth to develop a dialogue, learn and share business practices, build relationships and interactions. An additional 100 youth formed 10 youth groups comprised of 5 member ex-combatants and 5 local village youth. The strategy of combining youth from diverse backgrounds and offering them a platform to discuss issues developed trusting, peaceful relationship between the youth. Youth became cohesive and collaborative while learning sound business practices.
- July, 2018–$6800 to develop bee keeping venture to integrate former conflict concubines into the Garrisa economy. This program re-integrated conflict concubines to the community and provided community education and peace-building to support their safety.
Ex-conflict concubines participating in community trauma focused healing session
