Each month, we share the stories of World BEYOND War volunteers around the world. Want to volunteer with World BEYOND War? Email greta@worldbeyondwar.org.
Location:
Nairobi, Kenya
How did you get involved with anti-war activism and World BEYOND War (WBW)?
From an early age, I was surrounded by refugees fleeing the violence in the DRC, Rwanda, and Sudan. This early exposure to the brutality of war birthed a desire to lend my voice in advocating for the end of all wars. Further, I had the privilege of serving Syrian and Iraqi refugees in Jordan later in life and these experiences only reinforced my commitment to anti-war activism.
I recently began a Masters’s program in humanitarian studies and was looking to augment my education by serving with an organization working to address the vice of war that has spawned millions of refugees and victims of forced migration. World BEYOND War perfectly fit the bill as I was drawn to its history of grassroots activism and tangible results in anti-war advocacy.
What kinds of WBW activities do you work on as part of your internship?
As a Development intern serving with WBW Development Director Alex McAdams, my work has been to support WBW in raising resources to support the breadth of work we do across the globe. I primarily do this by undertaking donor research so we can find suitable partners and then using that information to craft proposals and grants in support of our various initiatives.
What’s your top recommendation for someone who wants to get involved with anti-war activism and WBW?
If you are tired of seeing the endless wars raging across our world and the devastating effects they have on innocent people; if you are lost as to what role you can play in helping dismantle the systems and policies that advance war, then I would suggest you begin by pursuing intentional education on the scope of the war machine. This education not only helps you learn how pervasive war is across our societies, but it also helps you know where you can plug in to stop its advance. World BEYOND War has excellent resources that highlight the expansiveness of war while giving you practical tools on what grassroots activism can look like in your community. If we all pull together to resist the advance of war, we can begin to pursue a world beyond war.
What keeps you inspired to advocate for change?
I am inspired to advocate for change by the stories of all those who have been victims of the atrocities of war. When we open our eyes and begin to see ourselves in the lives of those who have borne the brunt of war, we will be resolute in advocating for the dismantling of war and all the systems that support it.
Posted December 20, 2023.
