East Africa 2016
In East Africa, FCA had 101 staff members and 19 partners.
“This has been my first chance to build an international network. Making a study trip to Finland and getting to know the Finnish education system has been very beneficial to me. Our cooperation has helped us to develop the quality of education.”
Amanuel Yosief, teacher trainer, Asmara Community College of Education, Eritrea
“Thanks to FCA we have been able to find out the root causes of conflicts between tribes. We have also received support in organising transportation to the conference. Without it, many people would not have come at all.”
Stiven Domorita from the Pokot tribe talks about a peace conference between the Pokot and Markwet tribes in Kenya. The conference was organised by FCA and was the biggest one yet with one hundred participants.
Education and conflict resolution in Eastern Africa
Fighting between government and opposition forces in SOUTH SUDAN escalated significantly from July 2016 onward. Some of FCA’s staff members were temporarily evacuated because of the violence and projects fell partly behind schedule.
FCA’s work for peace, education and livelihood has achieved many promising results despite the conflict. Violence in the state of Boma came to an end as a result of consultation and dialogue, which drove tribes in the state to agree on peace between each other and with the neighbouring state Jonglei. More conflict parties participated in the peace process than ever before, and over 90 per cent of them say they were pleased with the peace process. This suggests that the peace is on sustainable foundation and will encourage communities to seek peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
Last year, FCA secured access to education for 10,469 South Sudanese children by building school facilities and supporting 288 teachers. In Pibor County, FCA created new income opportunities in food production in cooperation with the private sector.
In ERITREA FCA continued developing the education sector together with Eritrean education authorities. The work is focused in supporting Eritrean teacher training institutes by strenghtening research and pedagogic skills. Work was supported by Teachers without Borders volunteers. In addition, 30 journalists and 14 students of journalism participated in training in journalism facilitated by FCA and the University of Tampere.
Two delegations from Eritrean teacher training institutes visited Finland and got to know the Finnish school system.
In UGANDA FCA was recognised for its response to the refugee crisis. Registered South Sudanese refugees were supported by providing them with food and education at refugee settlements. FCA was also granted funding from UNICEF to secure quality education in 140 schools in the poor West Nile region.
In SOMALIA FCA is supporting the building and development of government structures and civil society. A union of non-governmental organisations has been founded with FCA’s support giving organisations a better chance to influence decision-making. Conflict resolution in local communities is supported through peacework. In 2016, FCA supported internally displaced people, returning migrants and other Somalis in gaining new income opportunities by organising professional education and courses, and by supporting the foundation of small-scale enterprises.
In KENYA FCA is building peace in the fragile, conflict-prone northern regions in cooperation with traditional and religious leaders. With FCA’s efforts 27,305 people participated in local peace mediation processes. In September, FCA and UNICEF launched a project attempting to return 13,500 children back to school in the municipalities of Turkana, Garissa and Marsabit. At the Kakuma refugee settlement FCA trained teachers in a year-long pilot project that aims to provide quality education to children in refugee camps.