The people in Eastern D.R. Congo have experienced a lot of chaos in the past, caused by the wars in the region. PCR stands for Peace and Conflict Resolution. The PCR Foundation is a local non-governmental, non-political and non-profit organization that helps local people live better lives by providing specific free programs.
The PCR foundation’s members work with good willed determination to reconcile people, and build peaceful communities throughout the country, to bring people together with non-violence. Our areas of work focus on the regions of South-Kivu (Sud-Kivu) and North-Kivu (Nord-Kivu), the Eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This border area to Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi is especially shaken due to long standing and ongoing conflicts and civil war. (For more information on the context of the DRC, please click here.)
Our focus is on the following target groups:
1. Local communities
2. Women’s groups
3. Rural areas
4. Schools and Hospitals
5. Leaders of local communities and religious groups
6. Youth
We believe that people are better together, that both become stronger when one helps the other. We believe that no one deserves to be discriminated against. Our separation weakens us, and we believe that people have the inherent right and choice to shape their own destiny, to take it into their own hands. We live by the principle of restoring trust in the community because we believe that our differences unite us and complement us, not divide us.
PCR envisions that all people from the conflict-affected regions of the DRC put aside their differences and live together in peace and trust. If we look far ahead into the future, we see that we are no longer needed as an organization in this form, that our help has paid off and that people are empowered to take the path of a trusting community on their own strength and with their own resources. Until then, we will do everything we can to realize this vision.
We are committed to reduce and break the cycle of violence and poverty that continues to fuel local communities with different conflicts. We are committed to promote a culture that nurtures peaceful relationships at the grassroots level. We focus on reducing conflicts in the community and on educating. As part of our work, we are in the process of training more and more people to become mediators in the future (we are even planning our own school for this purpose) in order to get closer to our vision. We long to establish a society where people and communities are empowered with the skills to overcome conflict and take charge of their destiny.
Our core values of loyalty and integrity connect us to the region. We stand up for our people, knowing that we need outside support. Transparency and honesty help us to communicate the message. We not only live these values fully internally within the foundation and society, but also externally, in cooperation with partners and sponsors. We believe in the dignity of all people. And the importance of peaceful collaboration with an aim to build strong networks with partner organizations and institutions who share the vision of peace-building and providing humanitarian support with empowerment.
PCR Foundation does great work, working on peace and healing trauma is essential to building a better society that moves away from violence and conflict. They work to improve the lives of people and their community.
It is an honour and a blessing to be part of such a generous mission, working alongside such kind, friendly, and loving people. I am continually inspired by their unwavering commitment to creating positive change and am grateful to contribute to this incredible work.
PCR foundation have been doing critical humanitarian, grassroots work to help communities in areas or conflict. The peace initiatives and training programs he and his staff are running are providing an essential education that will reduce trauma and change the course of lives for women, children and families.
There is a saying that the massage is more important than the messenger.
However – without the determination of Samuel the messenger – the massage of this important organization wouldn't be delivered.