February Update: A month of vision, heart & connection

It’s been an eventful month for Euphrates! We'd love to take a moment to fill you in on some of the good news...

The Euphrates team convened in Providence, RI for a program planning summit.  It was an opportunity for heart-to-heart conversations about the vision and mission of Euphrates and a deep dive into a new peacebuilder program launching this spring. We left inspired and ready to amplify the mission of Euphrates to equip, connect and uplift peacebuilders worldwide. Stay tuned!

The work of our steadfast peace ambassadors continues to strengthen and expand around the world. Through the support of our small grant program, leaders in diverse regions have facilitated events and workshops that encourage civil dialogue, empathetic listening and bridge building. To learn more about the work of our Burundi chapter, please continue to the Chapter Spotlight!

We embraced our global peace ambassadors in our first chapter call of the new year. It was a wonderful opportunity for thoughtful listening and inspiration. Emmanuel, our Cameroon chapter leader, continues his work to form youth peace groups in his community despite lockdowns and rising violence in his community. He told us that the prayers and outreach he received from the Euphrates community during recent lockdowns acted as an antidote to fear. 

We are so grateful to have each of you as a part of our community. We look forward to keeping you informed and inspired every month. If you ever have questions or ideas, please don't hesitate to drop us a note at info@euphrates.org.

Chapter Spotlight: Burundi

Since the end of civil war in 2005, Burundians have experienced deepening ethnic divisions amongst the Hutu and Tutsi. As Burundi approaches elections in 2020, there is growing concern about ethnically-charged rhetoric during election season. Burundi will hold a constitutional referendum next May and a general election in 2020. The government is preparing its citizens by encouraging them to sign up and cast their votes. Euphrates Peace Ambassador, Oscar Ndayisenga, is preparing communities by hosting diverse discussion forums for political and religious leaders, grassroots citizens, media and military officials. 

This past weekend 94 participants gathered in a Gitega community center where Oscar led a workshop focused on the path for building sustainable peace during the electoral process. In these workshops, Oscar emphasized that education of the youth in the path of peace will build a more stable foundation and end division and violent tendencies. He commented, "Our chapter seeks youth engagement as peace ambassadors in their communities in order to turn other into brother."

Participants welcomed this initiative, sponsored by our Euphrates community, and asked Oscar to continue to organize these gatherings each month and pursue his work in youth education. Oscar echoed the voice of his community affirming that this activity will "help Burundian people to heal long-standing division and cultivate this seed of peace in kids from primary school through university."

Links We Love!

Donor Spotlight

"My first priority in donating each year is to Euphrates."

"Having met some of the peace-builders working around the world to bring connection and peace to differing voices in their communities, I am humbled and grateful for their commitment to this ideal. Donating financially is a simple decision and the easiest to do. Now I am making the commitment to be part of the movement to build peace in my own community."

Debra Woodward
McKinney, TX

To join Debra as an investor in 2020, click here!

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