AVP WORKSHOP FOR STUDENTS IN RWANDA

Introduction

Friends Peace House (FPH) conducted a three  day Alternative to Violence Project (AVP) Basic Workshop for students at Friends School of Kamembe (FSK) in Western Rwanda from June 17–19, 2026.

A total of 28 students participated in the workshop. The training aimed to equip students with practical skills for preventing violence, managing conflicts peacefully, improving relationships, and promoting a culture of peace within the school and their communities.

Why This Project Matters

Students face different forms of conflict in their daily lives, including misunderstandings among peers, bullying, peer pressure, disagreements, and other challenges. Without appropriate skills, such conflicts can sometimes lead to violence or damaged relationships.

The AVP workshop provided students with an opportunity to learn that conflicts can be addressed through dialogue, active listening, respect, cooperation, and nonviolent communication.
By investing in students, FPH seeks to nurture young people who can become positive role models and peacebuilders among their peers, families, schools, and wider communities.

What We Did

Over the three day workshop, the 28 participants engaged in participatory AVP activities designed to help them understand and practice nonviolent ways of dealing with conflict.

The workshop included:

• Understanding violence and its consequences.
• Exploring personal responses to conflict.
• Active listening and effective communication.
• Managing anger and difficult emotions.
• Respecting oneself and others.
• Building trust and cooperation.
• Understanding conflict and peaceful conflict transformation.
• Practicing nonviolent responses through role plays and group exercises.
• Exploring how students can contribute to peace in their school and community.
• The participatory approach encouraged students to learn from one another through group discussions, practical exercises, reflection, and experience sharing.

Key Results and Impact

The workshop contributed to:

• 28 students trained in AVP principles and nonviolent conflict transformation.
• Increased awareness of the causes and consequences of violence.
• Improved communication and active listening skills among participants.
• Greater understanding of peaceful ways to respond to conflicts.
• Strengthened cooperation, teamwork, and respect among students.
• Increased confidence in handling disagreements without violence.
• Encouragement for students to become peacebuilders and positive role models within their school community.

Lessons Learned

The workshop demonstrated that students are willing and able to engage meaningfully in peacebuilding when provided with a safe and participatory learning environment.
One important lesson was that practical activities and role plays help students connect peacebuilding concepts with real life situations they experience at school and in their communities.The training also highlighted the importance of continuing peacebuilding education among young people so that the skills gained can be practiced and strengthened over time.

Challenges

The main challenge is the limited opportunity to reach a larger number of students who could benefit from AVP training. There is a continued need for resources to expand the program to additional schools and provide follow up activities for students who have already been trained.

Sustainability and Next Steps

• FPH encourages the trained students to apply the skills they learned in their daily interactions and to share peaceful approaches with their peers.
• FPH will continue seeking opportunities to expand AVP workshops to other schools in Rwanda and to strengthen follow-up activities that support students in becoming active peacebuilders.

Conclusion

From June 17–19, 2026, Friends Peace House successfully conducted an AVP workshop for 28 students at Friends School of Kamembe (FSK) in Western Rwanda.
The training strengthened students' understanding and practical skills in nonviolence, communication, conflict transformation, respect, and peaceful coexistence. Through this initiative, FPH is investing in young people as important actors in building peaceful schools, families, and communities.
We sincerely appreciate the support of our partners and GlobalGiving donors who make it possible to equip young people with the skills and confidence to become peacebuilders.