EMPOWER
Engaging the world’s problems through healing-centered peacebuilding
Our Approach
At the core of our approach to community healing, we embrace a strength-based perspective, acknowledging that communities possess the resources and resilience needed to surmount the obstacles posed by violence, injustice, and indignity.
Through healing, communities can begin to spearhead their own recovery by identifying and leveraging their strengths to rebuild and restore their social fabric.
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Healing-Centered Peacebuilding
We take a strength-based approach to community healing, acknowledging that communities possess the resources and resilience to overcome the difficulties of violence, injustice and indignity.
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Cultivating Resilience through Culture and Art
We believe in the power of culturally grounded approaches, and use art and culture as tools to engage in community mental health prevention.
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Community-Initated Care
Through peer support, sharing experiences, and accessing resources and information, our circles provide the tools and resources needed to build resilience and achieve full potential.
“Plant stories in the ears of your children.”
— Ben Okri
Owning your own healing agenda
We embrace a strength-based approach to community healing, recognizing that communities have the resources and resilience to overcome the challenges of violence, injustice, and indignity. With healing communities begin to drive their own recovery by identifying and utilizing their strengths to recover and rebuild.
Our Programs
Our healing-centered innovation has become a regional best practice having been adapted in South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. GSN can support local organizations to incorporate the program into their already existing programs through initial training and accompaniment and long-term curriculum and learning support.
Mama Zuria Omar
A community leader from Majengo, an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, shares her powerful story of transformation after experiencing an unspeakable loss. Mama Zuria stoically endured the pain, uncertainty, and stigma surrounding her son's recruitment to al Shabaab, only to lose him upon his return home. With the help of Green String Network's Kumekucha program, a community well-being and resilience initiative, Mama Zuria found a path to forgiveness and healing. Today, she is a highly valued leader and resource in her community, working to promote peace, reconciliation, and healing not just in Majengo, but beyond.
Make a difference today
Over the past 7 years, Green String Network has received support from foundations, corporations, individuals, and governments who share our commitment to addressing the root causes and consequences of violence. Thanks to the generosity of these supporters, we've been able to leverage the transformative combination of conflict transformation and brain and behavioral science to drive positive change for peace.
Make a donation.
Be part of the change in building new frameworks for collective healing and finding innovative solutions to support communities in conflict. Join us and support our work to make a difference.
“There comes a time when we need to stop just pulling people out of the river. We need to go upstream and find out why they are falling in.”
— Desmond Tutu