Celebrating Spark Peace Projects!
This past year, we were grateful to be a recipient of the Spark Peace Project grant from Students Rebuild and Creative Visions. The Spark Peace Project invites young people everywhere to use their power and creativity to engage with the world’s most pressing issues and build a more peaceful world. Each work of creative expression—or student engaged—triggers a $5 donation for organizations doing peacebuilding work around the world.
Through Ripples of Hope Fellowship, we engaged five of our non-profit partners in South Africa to participate in the project: Kliptown Youth Program (KYP), City Year South Africa, Songo, Uyanda Foundation, and Dignity in Flow. Check out each project below!
Kliptown Youth Program!
KYP is a longtime Ripples partner based in Kliptown, Johannesburg, South Africa. KYP has always prided themselves on showcasing who they are through our Performing Arts Program. KYP states “We believe that the best way to express ourselves and connect with people is through performance. With this in mind, the Peace Project became a powerful platform for our learners to not only share their talents but also to engage deeply with audiences. Through this project, we witnessed how strongly the performances resonated with people and how they encouraged meaningful reflection and dialogue.”
The play highlighted South Africa’s history, tracing the country’s journey from apartheid to democracy, and emphasizing the importance of continuing the legacy of peace, unity, and reconciliation in every aspect of our lives. It reminded audiences of the struggles endured in the past and the collective responsibility to protect our peace in the present.
A contemporary dance performance was staged to address pressing social issues such as the rape cases and the killings of women and children in our country. This performance served as both an artistic expression and a call to action, raising awareness about gender-based violence and the urgent need to protect vulnerable members of our society.
The program also featured a choir performance, where the group sang Perfect Peace. The song added an uplifting and reflective tone to the event, reinforcing the core message of harmony, healing, and hope for a peaceful future.
Overall, the Spark Peace Project's performance not only showcased creativity and talent but also embodied KYP’s vision of using the performing arts as a bridge to connect with people. The project successfully delivered a strong message of hope, healing, and the necessity of building a safer and more peaceful society.
City Year South Africa
City Year South Africa along with Together Action Group TAG promote peace and social connectedness through their Spark Peace Project in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In a powerful celebration of unity and creativity, City Year South Africa, in partnership with community organizations like Together Action Group(TAG) in Westbury, has continued to foster peace and social connectedness among young people. A highlight of the initiative was the creation of an inspirational song about the importance of peace, crafted by 50 City Year service leaders ages 18-24. Music, deeply rooted in South African culture, served as a unifying force, bringing together youth from diverse communities to showcase the value of building a peaceful nation. This impactful Spark Peace project engaged 220 young people, who not only created 121 meaningful creative expressions but also raised an impressive $1,100. Through this collaboration, City Year SA and its partners demonstrated the potential of collective action in promoting social cohesion and empowering the young ones.
Songo
Songo, a Ripples of Hope partner based in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, Sourh Africa, engaged 78 young people and raised $390 as part of their Spark Peace project. Read below to learn about their work and swipe to see the creative young minds in action!
Students from @songoinfo participated in a series of fun and engaging workshops focused on emotional regulation and promoting peace within their community. Through these activities, 78 young individuals gained valuable lessons on managing their emotions and harnessing the power of positivity. Additionally, 21 young individuals took part in dancing sessions, supported by 3 volunteer coaches. After several practice sessions, their dance routines were incorporated into an acted story titled "Moon Valley and Sun Valley." The young individuals also engaged in various art sessions, producing banners representing the two villages featured in the story: Moon Valley and Sun Valley.
Dignity in Flow
Dignity in Flow, based in Kliptown and Soweto, Johannesburg, founded by Ripples of Hope Fellowship Alumna, Jenine Scott and led by a team of fellowship Alumni, created a Spark Peace project, “Cultivating Love and Harmony through Art” to inspire and engage young girls in their community.
Through their project, they engaged 57 young individuals in a celebration of creativity and community, resulting in 34 inspiring creative expressions. Each art piece was accompanied by a heartfelt poem, message, or song, promoting love, unity, and peace! The organization’s commitment to nurturing positive values was further showcased through a beautiful song composed and performed by the girls in August. This initiative not only raised $285 but also provided a safe and welcoming space for young people to express themselves through the arts! For young girls in Soweto, @dignityinflow1 Flow provides a sense of belonging, nourishment, and joy, empowering them to cultivate love and harmony in their community.
Uyanda Foundation
Uyanda Foundation, based in Sir Lowry’s Pass, Cape Town, SA and founded by Ripples of Hope Class of 2024 Fellow, Athi Ndwebi, led two Spark Peace projects: “Unleashing Peace through Art: Uyanda Foundation’s Amani Warriors” and “Unleashing Love and Connection through Art.” Learn about their amazing projects below!
“Unleashing Peace through Art: Uyanda Foundation’s Amani Warriors”
In a vibrant celebration of creativity and community, the Uyanda Foundation’s Amani Warriors program brought together 59 young people who transformed streets into canvases of hope. For one magical day, the sounds of conflict gave way to the strokes of paintbrushes as the youth channeled their emotions into 150 stunning creative expressions. The result was not only a visual feast but also a testament to the power of art to heal and unite. The initiative raised an impressive $750, underscoring the impact of community-driven efforts to promote peace and creativity. As Athi aptly put it, “There is magic in paint.” The Uyanda Foundation’s Amani Warriors program proved that with creativity and support, even the most turbulent environments can be transformed into hubs of peace and inspiration.
“Unleashing Love and Connection through Art.”
The Uyanda Foundation’s Release Powerhouse program recently hosted a vibrant visual arts reflection session, bringing together 22 young creatives who poured their hearts onto canvas. The result was a stunning collection of 20 creative expressions, each one a unique reflection of individuality.
As participants shared the stories behind their paintings, the room was filled with laughter and meaningful connections. This powerful experience not only lifted spirits but also forged lasting bonds among the group. The initiative raised $110, a testament to the impact of art in building community. Though the colors may fade, the memories and connections made will forever remain a masterpiece of love and creativity.