s i s t e r c i t i e s o f p e a ce
The Global Family Project:
Compassion In Action
By Fred Arment, Executive Director, International
Cities of Peace
I
n 2014, the International Cities
of Peace provided funds for fifty
women in Bujumbura, Burundi,
who had been caught in the crossfire of war. They were given seeds
and land for their gardens, school
fees for their children, and housing and medicines for the victims
of this long-enduring war. This
support gave these women hope
for the future and a chance to begin
to rebuild their lives. That was the
start of the Global Family Project, a
city-to-city, two-way collaboration
that now offers Cities of Peace an
opportunity to share their richness
and resources (beyond money) and
a means to expand their impact to
the wider global community.
This year, Sedona and other
cities of peace around the globe are
contributing to this Global Family
effort. For example, some are helping to build a school for orphans
in the eastern region of the Congo,
which is, because of ongoing war,
one of the more dangerous parts of
the world. The Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC), where 5.4 million
people have been killed in wars
since 1998, is in the heart of African
Continent. These wars over land
and valuable natural resources have
left devastation in their wake—most
notably, abused women and orphaned children.
As a result of
Sedona’s request to
identify an active,
nearby Rotary Club
they might be able
to work with, we
discovered that Cities
of Peace across Africa and around the
world do indeed have
Rotary Clubs, which
can be excellent
partners. In particular, the Kolwezi City
of Peace in the DRC
was identified, where
leader John Mukhuta
Building a school for orphans in the Congo (top) and
has responsib