Our Heroes
Name: HENRI BURA LADYI
Project: CENTRE RESOLUTION CONFLITS (CRC)
Location: BENI, D.R.CONGO
We've worked with Henri and the CRC since 2005; he is one of the most inspiring people we've ever supported. His work is courageous, diverse and vital and his reports from the field are one of the reasons we come to work every day.
Henri contacted Peace Direct back in late 2004 after his centre had been ransacked for the second time. We gave him funding to re-locate and set up the centre in Beni in the North East of the country.
We were so impressed by what he was achieving with such scant resources that we committed to giving him a long-term, guaranteed source of funding. The Champions programme was born.
The D.R.Congo is a vast country, spectacularly beautiful but ravaged by one of the bloodiest wars in history. The death toll stands at three million people; more than the combined populations of Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds and Sheffield.
With Henri's work, it often starts with a phone call. Bitter disputes rage between the militia and the government, between different tribes, and over land and resources. Henri and his team provide expert conflict resolution to a community that trusts and respects them.
Their impact has been remarkable.
A 250 strong gang of armed militia holed up in the jungle in Aveba, wanted to put down their weapons and rejoin the community but were fiercely mistrusted by the government. Henri was the only man both sides trusted. It took him eight days to negotiate safe passage for the gang. (JULY 2007)
There was a time when the only way UN troops could come down this road was in a tank. This photo shows them relaxed and accepted within the community. Henri fostered genuine trust on both sides; that's something only local knowledge can achieve. (JUNE 2007)
The team successfully mediated in a long running and often violent land dispute in the village of Mai-Moya, between an agricultural cooperative, and 14 properties adjacent to the plantation who claimed their lands had been illegally taken. One of the victims said afterwards, "I haven't been able to sleep properly for 38 years. Now my heart and my spirit are calm as are those of my community." (OCT 2006)
20 young men left an armed militia gang and came to the CRC, seeking a new life in peace work. The Centre isteaching them that there is an alternative to violence. (DEC 2005)
There is also the CRC's long-term work in and around Beni which is equally impressive. The team has organised numerous summits, collaborations with local radio stations, peace jams, marches and festivals that all reinforce and re-establish social cohesion and encourage the principles of active non-violence and tolerance.
One long term Champion of Henri wrote that, "I love my work, but it doesn't change lives. I feel privileged to be part of this Peace Direct initiative which is actually saving lives." The CRC is making a real difference to an area raw from prolonged conflict.
You can be part of Henri's back up team.
