By Donatien NDIZEYE | M&E Leader
The Alternative to Violence Program (AVP) is a transformative, hands-on training initiative that empowers individuals to handle conflict in constructive, nonviolent, and creative ways. Rooted in experiential learning, AVP enables participants to reflect deeply on the causes of violence and to discover effective alternatives to aggression and retaliation. This program has shown success in various settings globally, from prisons to schools, by building skills in communication, cooperation, empathy, and conflict resolution.
In Rwanda, many secondary schools are experiencing a troubling increase in violent conflicts among students. These conflicts take many forms- bullying, peer violence, verbal abuse, and sometimes physical altercations. These behaviors not only disrupt the learning environment but also threaten the emotional well-being and safety of students and teachers alike. Addressing this urgent issue requires a long-term, values-based, and youth-centered approach that goes beyond punishment and focuses on transformation.
In this context, our organization has designed the AVP Workshop for students in Rwanda, a targeted intervention aiming to reach 300 students across 10 secondary schools. Once trained, these students will become ambassadors of peace in their schools and communities, equipped with practical tools to prevent, de-escalate, and resolve conflict without violence.
The workshop will cover key AVP modules, including:
Students will engage in interactive activities, group reflections, and real-life simulations to help them internalize these skills. By the end of the training, we expect participants to demonstrate improved emotional intelligence, stronger peer relationships, and a renewed commitment to peace.
Unfortunately, due to insufficient funding, we have not yet been able to implement this vital project. While the need is urgent and the plan is ready, we are currently seeking support from donors and well-wishers to bring this initiative to life. Your partnership could make a profound difference in the lives of hundreds of young people, helping to build safer schools and stronger communities.
We invite you to stand with us in this transformative journey. Together, we can turn schools into havens of peace, leadership, and resilience through the power of nonviolence.
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser