Buwofa project

In the first quarter of 2025, HOPE FOR NATIONS (HFN) trained 33 volunteers with technical and financial support from the Consortium for Women, Peace, and Security in Central Africa—comprising Cameroon’s Association for Combating Violence Against Women (ALVF), the Central African Republic’s Women Act for Living Together (WALT), and the Congolese Women’s Fund of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Targeting displaced populations and vulnerable host community members in Dschang, the initiative centered on peer education to advance inclusive legal and psychosocial support systems.

By engaging individuals already embedded within these communities, the training established a network of community relays equipped to disseminate acquired skills—such as active listening, basic legal procedures, and trauma management—directly among their peers. This approach fostered trust and localized ownership of solutions. Volunteers evolved into proximity mediators, facilitating access to identity documentation, protection against arbitrary evictions, and the organization of psychosocial support groups to address psychological distress.

The intervention not only mitigated legal vulnerabilities and strengthened emotional resilience among beneficiaries but also dismantled social divides by promoting dialogue between displaced populations and host communities. Regular interactions initiated by peer educators cultivated cross-community solidarity, reducing risks of conflict and establishing foundations for peaceful coexistence.

By transforming participants into key actors in local development, HFN embedded its efforts within a sustainable framework, leveraging the expertise of affected populations to drive inclusive social change. This model prioritizes the dignity and autonomy of marginalized groups, ensuring that community-led solutions remain central to long-term resilience and social cohesion.