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WILEP was a community-driven initiative that sought to empower the people of Winjo to sustainably adapt to climate change while fostering economic resilience and mobility. Through WILEP, we trained 50 farmers on climate smart agriculture, gave them drought-resistant seeds and fertilizers, and enrolled them in Tupande Africa, a program that supports farmers across Africa to improve their yields and resilience. We also provided goats to 37 households supporting their path toward economic independence, and paid school fees for three students. In many ways, WILEP has strengthened my lifelong commitment to community empowerment and to seeking local solutions for global challenges. As a changemaker, I look forward to continuing designing and leading projects that equip communities with practical tools to solve their own challenges, and to mentor others, especially young women, to recognize the power they already hold to create change. I am also moving with the understanding that meaningful change comes not only from projects and programs but also through the evolution of our own stories.

"By conducting workshops focused on health education, family planning, and income generation through agro-based activities, my project aimed to support marginalized women in the Chepang community of Chitwan, Nepal. Working with local partners, my work was built on an empowerment framework that involved local "chain-makers" — women from the community who would serve as role models and leaders for their peers. This structure allowed them to take responsibility for their own transformation, ensuring sustainability even after the project concluded. I learned that change must come from within the community, and the role of an outsider is to facilitate that change by providing  support and resources. The women of the Chepang community inspired me with their resilience, and the project challenged my assumptions about what empowerment looks like in different cultural contexts."

"The Growing Futures project sought to address the financial challenges of Hosanna Children's Home in Githunguri, Kenya, by establishing a sustainable pig farming initiative. Through the construction of a pig sty and breeding farming through training, the project aimed to generate income for the home while providing valuable agricultural education to the community, contributing to stability, poverty reduction, and youth engagement. Through the Growing Futures Peace Project, we've witnessed the transformative power of sustainable solutions in nurturing both economic stability and a sense of community. This experience has taught me that by empowering individuals with skills and opportunities, we can truly sow the seeds of lasting peace and positive change. The grant allowed me to understand my community's challenges in a way I never envisioned before. A great thank you to the Projects for Peace program for the opportunity!"

"Jekesa Remangwana is the first step in a long-term effort to generate biotechnological solutions to Zimbabwe’s impending biomedical, agricultural, and industrial issues. I partnered with three other students from Zimbabwe to run a biotechnology boot camp during which we collaboratively taught biotechnology techniques and their applications to students in high school STEM programs. In addition to showing them how biotechnology can be a tool to combat some of the issues at the heart of internal and external conflict, we provided mentorship and professional development opportunities to the students so they could see how one can advance in Biotechnology whilst in Zimbabwe. These students may someday develop crops that are resistant to pests, diseases, or adverse environmental conditions, reviving Zimbabwe’s declining agricultural industry, which serves as the country’s key source of income to alleviate food shortages and increase peace amongst people."