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PEACE AND RECONCILIATION PROJECT

We live in a world where peace is threatened every day by groups of people who have no understanding of the consequences of their actions.

In Matthew 5:9 the Lord Jesus declares to his disciples:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God”.

Jesus taught Christians to promote peace as a natural outgrowth of their spiritual life. Therefore the goal of the project is to give a better knowledge of peace, reconciliation and conflicts prevention to the people in the country and contribute at the same time to their spiritual growth, making strong community advocates who are able to communicate what they have learned.

A book on peace and reconciliation was produced by ACTS publishing division, Editions Contact. Then a plan was set in place using ACTS publications to promote peace among those in conflict.

The program promotes ways to durable peace and to prevent conflict from a Christian perspective. The program is active in 13 geographic and political regions of Burkina Faso. Groups of individuals involved in conflicts within a community are brought together to study the way to peace. Individuals are taught how to critically analyze situations that lead to broken friendships, take steps to resolve conflicts and renew dialogue to establish friendship. In this process, Christian values are taught to the participants.

ACTS produced and distributed 12,000 books on Peace and Justice in Mooré and Djula, the two most commonly spoken languages in Burkina Faso. Peace and Justice are two relevant topics for poverty stricken countries like Burkina Faso. Civil war, genocide, injustice, prejudice and violence have come to many other poor African countries. Burkina Faso has been peaceful but these books provide a platform for discussions among community members.


Covers of two books, Peace and Justice in Mooré language

For the last 20 or so years, Burkina has been one of the most peaceful countries among West African states. But it is surrounded by countries that continue to ferment with wars and unrest.

This project assist is one of prevention. It provides essential lessons for the Burkinabé population as other nations and ideologies can threaten our fragile peace.

General Objective

The goal of the project is to promote ways to durable peace and prevent conflicts in a Christian perspective in the following thirteen (13) regions of Burkina Faso:

Boucle du Mouhoun
Cascades
Centre
Centre Est
Centre Nord
Centre Ouest
Centre Sud
Est
Hauts Bassins
Nord
Plateau Central
Sahel
Sud Ouest

Specific objectives

Develop a durable peace vision in the local communities
Promote reconciliation and forgiveness culture in communities
Empower fifteen thousand (15,000) persons in conflict prevention in the thirteen regions
Teach Christian values to the communities

This project was launched because peace is an essential aspect of life:

Without peace no development can take place
Without peace women and children will be the first victims of insecurity in the country
Without peace, there is no opportunity to work for the growth of the Lord’s Kingdom in the country

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ACTS Center in Saonré is dedicated to giving a hand up and not a handout to the forgotten ones of Burkina Faso...widows and orphans.