A piece of land, a world of possibilities

 By Elena Landwehr

In Peace Lab Kosovo, we focus on Kosovo, as the name suggests. But we are also interested in peacebuilding more broadly. I believe that is important because just as conflicts spill over borders, so should peace. That is why I was really looking forward to meeting Dieudonné Gakire from Rwanda, an AUC alumnus. During a Peace by Peace workshop on 11 June, we had the chance to speak with him, and we were grateful that he took even more time to talk to our class on Tuesday (17 June).

Dieudonné Gakire, founder of the Empowerment Hub Dusego

Dieudonné is the founder of the Dusego Empowerment Hub in Rwanda, which has been active since 2023. It is in his home village, Dusego, about 50  kilometres southeast of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. The Hub gives children the opportunity to follow their dreams through education and skills training, alongside a strong commitment to community building and development. The focus is on personal growth, literacy and sustainability of the initiative. They offer workshops, run their own library, teach computer skills, and will soon operate a guesthouse to host volunteers. All of this is possible thanks to Dieudonné’s drive and dedication.

The initiative’s library – Dusego Empowerment Hub

Dieudonné was only two years old when the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda took place in 1994. Even though he does not recall memories from that time, the shock stayed, shaping him and generations to come. Rwanda has spent years dealing with the aftermath and continues to do so. One of the lasting effects of this tragedy was the disruption of social structures, like access to education. Dieudonné saw firsthand how many children in his home village were left without real opportunities to learn and grow, which made it his dream to create a space where young people could flourish. So, after studying at Amsterdam University College, he took matters into his own hands and was able to buy a piece of land in Dusego. Our Peace Lab lecturer, Anne de Graaf, remembers how, over the three years of Peace Lab Rwanda visits, they saw the whole process unfold. It started with  “Look, this is the land I bought,” then turned into a construction site, and finally became a lively centre of community education and connection, full of energy and motivation.

While Dieudonné was sharing his story, I could tell that everyone in the room was following every word he said. We were all captivated by his courage and determination. Not only did he build a place where young and old come together to learn and grow, but he also continues to build peace. Especially in societies with complicated pasts, education is a crucial foundation for lasting peace. He likes to call the Dusego Empowerment Hub an initiative because it is grassroots, community-driven and flexible. It thrives thanks to the people at its core: locals, volunteers and children who help shape what it is becoming.

After our meeting, we sat together and continued to chat, because there were so many topics to discuss and stories to tell. That is when I realised how peacebuilding does not just happen through projects or official programmes. It starts here, with us. With a shared experience. With a small idea. With a short conversation. The talk with Dieudonné was a reminder that peace is built step by step. Thank you, Dieudonné, for sharing your story with us!