Tanganyika: a teenager committed to peace and harmony

Merci, 15, witnessed the violence and killings that ravaged the Province of Tanganyika, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “We heard noises coming from the village and when we got there, we saw terrible scenes,” the teen recalls. Many of the residents had been killed by arrows and the village was deserted. “My friends and I fled,” added Merci. After walking for a little while, they found their parents and together they continued to the Lukwangulo camp.

In January 2018, the government decided to relocate the camp to Kikumbe, 16 km north of the city of Kalemie. Once there, Merci promptly joined the “Teens for development club” and was introduced to prevention, management and peaceful resolution of conflicts. With 30 other children aged 9 to 17, Merci organized performances to talk about violence, conflict and theft. “Children and adults came together,” said the teen very proud. Elected as Vice-President of the club, Merci is often single out to mediate when disputes and misunderstandings arise.

Since UNICEF provided the Club with recreational kits, extra activities have been organized each Saturday. Footballs, tennis equipment, marbles, skipping ropes and card games draw all the camp’s children. Merci and the other members of the Club make the most of the half-time break of football matches to raise players’ awareness of peaceful resolution in disputes.

Merci has become a true ambassador of peace in the camp, where none of the children go to school. Before they only used to go with their parents to the forest to collect wood but now the camp’s children have their own activities: plays, singing, games and sports. “I forget my bad memories of the conflict and I live well with the people in the camp,” concludes the teen, certain that one day the Pygmies and the Bantu will live in peace.

Merci was a student in the 5th grade of primary school in his village and he hopes to be able to come back in a classroom soon. UNICEF is in the process of building a school at the camp. At the beginning of the next term, Merci and his friends will be able to go back to school. “My dream is to become a teacher,” he confesses. Merci wants to continue to promote cohesion, understanding and harmony.