Refugee Resilience Project-Context?

Yenet & The River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding

In the face of the overwhelming crisis in South Sudan, where many are struggling to rebuild their lives amid displacement, RJ Africa is committed to empowering local communities through grassroots initiatives. We focus on transformative restorative justice work in 4 major refugee settlements in Uganda as well as Kajo-Keji, South Sudan.

Our approach centers on training of trainers and conflict coaching, enabling community members to become local trainers and facilitators, creating community ownership of solutions to conflict. By equipping individuals with these skills, we build a foundation for lasting peace that refugees can carry with them.

We are dedicated to enhancing restorative practices with a special focus on women and integrating these methods within schools to support young learners. Our goal is to build a resilient, self-sustaining community where local leadership drives meaningful, enduring change.

Mansuk Milton, Founder and Executive Director of Yenet

“I hope to train young refugees and community leaders to become effective peacebuilders and take responsibility for transforming their communities into more cohesive and peaceful societies.”

South Sudan


Conflict to Hope: Building a Future for Refugees

History & Background

South Sudan, the world's youngest nation, gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after decades of civil war. However, the country quickly descended into internal conflict in 2013, driven by political and ethnic tensions, leading to widespread violence and displacement. Today, millions of South Sudanese remain refugees or internally displaced, though peace agreements and ongoing efforts are fostering hope for stability, reconciliation, and the return of displaced communities to their homes. The journey toward lasting peace is challenging but crucial for the nation’s future.

Meet the Founders

Muresuk Joseph
Director of RJ Africa

Mansuk Milton
Founder and Exec. Director of Yenet

Mansuk is a South Sudanese refugee living in Uganda with his family. He is the Executive Director and Co-founder of Yenet Ministries.
In 2022, Milton was named a South Sudan Community Solutions Program Fellow by IREX and the U.S. Department of State. His vision is for all South Sudanese to live peacefully and resolve conflicts constructively, creating thriving communities in refugee settings.

Muresuk is a South Sudanese refugee living in Uganda, he is a trained RJ facilitator and the director of RJ Africa. His hope for the future is to see a peaceful and prosperous Africa where everyone feels included. He believes that instead of being the largest producer of refugees in the world, Africa will one day produce peace to the world.

Jeffrey Weisberg
Founder and Exec. Director of River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding

Jeffrey is the co-founder and Executive Director of River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding. He believes that by training and empowering both youth and adults to learn and practice vital communication skills, we not only create greater connection with others, but we can de-escalate conflict for safer and more productive outcomes.

Muresuk Joseph

“We exist to build a culture of peace, tolerance, and coexistence among refugees and displaced communities by empowering individuals, families, and institutions through advocacy, facilitation and training, in the best and latest peacebuilding strategies.”

Our Approach

1

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Restorative Justice is a community based approach to resolving conflict and repairing harm. Whereas punitive justice focuses on who is at fault and imposing consequences or punishment, Restorative Justice addresses incidents of harm by giving voice to those affected (including impacted parties, responsible parties, and other stakeholders) and collaboratively exploring a path forward based on the needs of everyone involved. This reparative approach can transform individuals, relationships, and communities.

2

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

Restorative Practices include a wide spectrum of formal and informal strategies that address conflict by seeking to repair and prevent harm. These strategies can be implemented within existing communities such as schools, families, and neighborhoods to strengthen relationships, develop equity, and resolve conflicts.

3

DIALOGUE

Restorative Practices include a wide spectrum of formal and informal strategies that address conflict by seeking to repair and prevent harm. These strategies can be implemented within existing communities such as schools, families, and neighborhoods to strengthen relationships, develop equity, and resolve conflicts.

Training of Trainers

In RJ Africa’s Refugee Resilience Project, we use a Training of Trainers (ToT) model to ensure scalability, sustainability, and community ownership. By equipping local leaders with the skills and knowledge to train others, we create a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the initial participants. This approach empowers communities to take ownership of their peacebuilding efforts, fostering self-determination and resilience from within. The ToT model also ensures that the solutions are culturally relevant, as local trainers understand the unique dynamics and needs of their communities, allowing for long-term, sustainable change.

Community Voices

“I learned an important lesson: instead of just focusing on someone's wrongdoing, we should try to understand the reasons behind their actions if we want to truly solve the problem. This has changed how I think about conflict and resolution. In our community, people who commit offenses are often ignored and treated as if they don't have needs or a voice. But now I understand that even those who cause harm, whom we now call responsible parties, should have the chance to share their side. They are still part of our community, with families and lives that affect us all. I am very grateful for the opportunity.”

Alice Bibiya, Pagirinya Refugee Settlement

“I gained a new understanding of power. I learned how to use it wisely—not just for myself, but to empower others. I am now more careful in how I use power, especially with my children. I realize that when power is used correctly, it can bring about positive change.

In our culture, women often lack power and are expected to remain silent. This imbalance has caused many problems in our families and communities. However, through this training, I've come to see that power can be shared and used for the benefit of others.”

Juan Jesca, Training Participant, Pagirinya Refugee Settlement

Looking Forward

Increase the Number of Trained Peacebuilding Facilitators Within the 5 Refugee Communities

  • Conduct two (2) RJ training 1.0 for 40 people in Pagirinya and Rhino by summer 2025

  • Conduct RJ training 2.0 to provide advanced coaching and mentorship for 15 trainees in all five locations within the next 12 months

  • Establish a network or association for peacebuilding facilitators to support ongoing learning, collaboration and conflict resolution in these communities.

  • To establish a Conflict Resolution Response Team (CRR Team)

Continue to Enhance Social Cohesion and Harmony in the 5 Communities

  • Conduct two (2) restorative Justice trainings for 50 faith-based leaders in Bidi-bidi and Kajo-keji

  • Conduct 10 listening sessions in 5 locations for 250 stakeholders to explore needs and concerns, and how these may be addressed through restorative practices.

  • Organize 10 community dialogues for 250 people on relevant issues to foster understanding and empathy among different ethnicities and tribes in refugees spaces

  • Facilitate 24 restorative justice circles to directly benefit over 94 participants in the 5 refugees settlements

Support Our Work

Your donation can profoundly impact refugee communities in Uganda. Here’s how your support fosters grassroots empowerment of solutions to conflict:

  • $100: Funds 4 introductory Restorative Practices training sessions, equipping local leaders with the skills to implement conflict resolution strategies into schools and institutions.

  • $150: Supports one grassroots volunteer for an entire month, enabling them to drive restorative justice practices that promote reconciliation and healing.

  • $500: Sponsors comprehensive workshops for up to 25 individuals, training them in restorative justice to amplify their impact within the community and empower the community to come up with solutions independently.

  • $1000: Enables a full-scale RJ training program for an entire community, including follow-up sessions and resources, ensuring a lasting and sustainable effect on the refugee settlements.

  • $5000: Enables full scale training program for 3 of the 5 refugee settlements, including follow-up sessions and resources.