Nyakuma Peter Gatkuoth is a South Sudanese young woman who lives in Uganda as a refugee. She worked over eight years for international humanitarian organizations in conflict settings such as Oxfam GB, Nonviolence Peace Force, Mercy Corps, Care and International Red Cross. She also holds a bachelor of Science in public health, and she is a trainer and a facilitator on trauma healing and reconciliation. Nyakuma founded "Together South Sudan," a non-profit organization that aims to bring together and reconcile the 64 tribes of South Sudan and to transform violence communities to be peaceful and unite through healing and reconciliation programs.

Nyakuma herself experienced trauma when she was displaced and her family during the conflict of 2013 at her home village. She witnessed death, rape, and violence. Traumatized, she lived in denial until she participated in the School of Reconciliation from the Rabagirana Ministry in Kigali, Rwanda. After deciding to give back to the community she has helped and trained victims from the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and while at her country South Sudan,  Nyakuma spent the last five years traveling to various states and regions to mentor and conduct trauma awareness and reconciliations seminars on how to live in peace and to end vengeful violence. In 2021, she was nominated for the International Visitors Leadership Program and received an IVLP Impact Award. She's passionate about bringing change to her country, Nyakuma has dedicated her life to educate and inspire people through her initiative and she is also working to help reunite the divided people of South Sudan. Nyakuma was a participant of the IVLP Project: A Global Moment in Time: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility.

"Different ethnic groups, races, identities, and cultures but of equal values in each other's eyes." - Nyakuma

Project: Truth and Reconciliation Project

Due to the civil war, many young South Sudanese currently face many challenges such as violent aggression and post-traumatic stress disorder, and they require healing and reconciliation support. The Truth and Reconciliation Program was an emotional tool for youth and women leaders to turn them into positive change-makers in their communities. The project trained 80 youth, men and women leaders in two different workshops in Leer and these recipients are now the agents of change in their community. The truth and reconciliation workshop has allowed people to openly share their feelings when they are hurt or hurting instead of resorting to violence, reducing violence in the area.

"I have never heard teachings like this. This is life-changing and is what we needed to heal the society and the community affected by conflicts." - Project Participant

 

Publications and Videos

• Nyakuma's experience working with Non-Violence Force in 2014 after she was displaced from her home in Leer County. Access Link: Interview with Nyakuma (National Protection Officer) with Nonviolent Peaceforce in South Sudan - YouTube

 

Country of Origin: South Sudan

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