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Our story

From a peacemakers' cooperative to a movement for reconciliation

TCSC works to resolve violent conflict by intervening quickly and training local people in peacemaking, trauma healing, and social reconciliation — staying with each community for the long haul.

History

Built by peacemakers, for peacemakers

Transforming Community for Social Change was founded in 2007 under the name "United for Peace and Community Development" — originally a merry-go-round, a cooperative savings group for peacemakers already working across western Kenya.

In 2011, the group formalized into a local non-governmental organization to widen its reach. In April 2016, it took the name Transforming Community for Social Change (TCSC) to better reflect a mission that had grown well beyond its founding members.

Today, TCSC is based in Kakamega County and serves the surrounding counties of Bungoma, Siaya, Uasin Gishu, and Trans Nzoia, responding wherever communities request support. Internationally, our facilitators have trained peacebuilders in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan.

Mission & values

What guides our work

Rapid response

We intervene as quickly as possible when violence breaks out, before it hardens into lasting division.

Local ownership

We train people from within the community, not outsiders, to lead peacemaking and healing.

Staying power

We remain engaged with communities long after a crisis has passed, because reconciliation takes time.

Our approach

Eight programs

  1. 1
    Listening sessions — giving each side of a conflict a genuine hearing.
  2. 2
    Healing and Rebuilding Our Communities (HROC) — trauma healing workshops, including in women's prisons.
  3. 3
    Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) — conflict-resolution trainings, including at Kakuma refugee camp.
  4. 4
    Help Increase the Peace Project (HIPP) — equipping young people as peace advocates.
  5. 5
    Transformative mediation — repairing relationships, not just settling disputes.
  6. 6
    Non-violent campaigns for social change — organized action led by the community itself.
  7. 7
    Community dialogues — ongoing conversation that outlasts the initial crisis.
  8. 8
    Citizen reporters / call-in centre — an early-warning system for emerging conflict.

Join us in building peace

Whether through a gift, your time, or sharing our story, there's a place for you in this work.

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