OUR IMPACT
Our Impact
Real results from the ground — stories of lives changed across the Great Lakes region
Impact at a Glance
4,834
People impacted through healthcare services
238
Beneficiaries of humanitarian aid
300
Youth and women refugees empowered
10
Songs of peace delivered to the Great Lakes region
OUR STORY
The Birth of Spirit of Peace and Solidarity
From Lived Experience to Lasting Change
Since 2015, following the violation of the Constitution by Burundian authorities, human rights defenders including our founder Melance took a leading role in speaking out against unlawful actions. As a result, they were subjected to severe persecution and threats, forcing them to flee into exile.
Even while living as a refugee, Melance never remained silent. In 2018, while hospitalized without support, he encountered many other vulnerable individuals facing similar conditions. This experience revealed a painful reality: many people were denied their fundamental rights simply because they lacked care, representation, and solidarity.
It was during this period that the idea of Spirit of Peace and Solidarity was born. After being discharged from the hospital, Melance formally founded the organization, and its first activities began within the very hospital where he had once been a patient. This moment marked SPS's commitment to standing with the most vulnerable and defending human dignity.
Impact by Program Area
4,834
Impacted through Healthcare Services
Through our Health and Wellness program, SPS manages first and second generation health posts in hard-to-reach communities, reducing infant mortality and ensuring that vulnerable groups — including pregnant women, children, and the elderly — can access care without fear or hardship.
238
Beneficiaries of Humanitarian Aid
Our Social Integration and Humanitarian Aid program responds to emergencies by providing temporary support to displaced families — food, shelter, and immediate protection — while advocating for family reunification and durable solutions.
300
Youth and Women Refugees Empowered
Through our Education & Vocational Training and Economic Empowerment programs, 300 youth and women refugees have gained skills, launched businesses, and taken meaningful steps toward self-reliance and economic independence.
10
Songs of Peace to the Great Lakes Region
As part of our peace-building work, SPS has produced 10 songs of peace as cultural tools to bridge divides, celebrate diversity, and promote social cohesion between refugee and host communities across the Great Lakes region.
Our Vision
A society where human rights are equal for all, no one is left behind, and every voice is heard with dignity, protection and respect.
Our Mission
To strengthen advocacy for human rights especially refugees while designing and implementing sustainable projects shaped by community participation and lived experience.
Join Us in Building Peace
Together, we can create lasting change for refugees and host communities across the Great Lakes region. Every contribution makes a difference.