Olo Byolenganya, Community Support Center/CSC-Asbl, DR Congo talks to Pierre Jones скачать в хорошем качестве

Olo Byolenganya, Community Support Center/CSC-Asbl, DR Congo talks to Pierre Jones

Healing Hearts, Building Futures with Byolenganya “Olo” Olo - CSC-Asbl, Eastern DRC Host: Pierre Jones Guest: Olo Byolenganya — Founder, Community Support Centre (CSC-Asbl), Uvira, Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo In this powerful conversation, Olo shares how a childhood marked by exclusion inspired him to found the Community Support Centre - CSC-Asbl at 21. Through trauma-informed care, Play for Peace & Mental Health (P4PM), mixed-gender sports, mindfulness circles, education support, and community tree-planting, CSC helps women, children, and displaced families heal, rebuild dignity, and lead change. Olo’s motto “Healing Hearts and Building Futures” - is both personal journey and community blueprint. Key Points (with SDG links) Lived experience to leadership: Transforming personal discrimination into community action and safe spaces. (SDG 16, SDG 10, SDG 3) Trauma-informed peacebuilding: Mindfulness circles + dialogue + sports to reduce conflict and strengthen mental health. (SDG 16, SDG 3, SDG 5) Mixed-gender teams in sport: Breaking cultural barriers and growing girls’ leadership. (SDG 5, SDG 10) Education & livelihoods: Scholarships, school kits, and vocational skills for women and youth. (SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 1, SDG 10) Environmental action as hope: “Seeds the Future” tree-planting and climate-smart farming to reduce flood risk and food insecurity. (SDG 13, SDG 11, SDG 2, SDG 15) Collective Leadership approach: Shared tools (Compass, Dialogic Change Model) to co-create impact. (SDG 17, SDG 16) Locally led, globally connected: Volunteer-driven teams across DRC, UK, EU, USA seeking values-aligned partners. (SDG 17) Key Guest Quotes (with SDG links) “No one should ever feel unwanted, unseen, or excluded.” (SDG 10, SDG 16, SDG 3) “If I couldn’t heal my heart, I couldn’t build communities.” (SDG 3, SDG 16) “You don’t need a big budget. What matters is a big heart.” (SDG 17, SDG 16) “Alone we go fast, but together we go far.” (SDG 17) “We start every session with five minutes of mindfulness, so people feel safe and ready to share.” (SDG 3, SDG 16) “Planting trees rebuilds land—and hope.” (SDG 13, SDG 11, SDG 15) “Our programs are open to everyone, regardless of background or status.” (SDG 10, SDG 16) “Never underestimate the power of your own story—it can spark peace in others.” (SDG 16, SDG 4, SDG 17) Suggestions for Practitioners & Partners (with SDG links) Embed mindfulness & dialogue in youth/sport programs to build trust and emotional regulation. (SDG 3, SDG 16) Adopt mixed-gender teams and leadership pathways for girls. (SDG 5, SDG 10) Pair sport with life-skills curricula (conflict resolution, safeguarding, SRHR). (SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 16) Invest in vocational training and micro-enterprise for displaced women and youth. (SDG 8, SDG 1, SDG 10) Launch “Seeds the Future” brigades: native tree-planting + climate-smart agriculture in flood-prone areas. (SDG 13, SDG 11, SDG 2, SDG 15) Use Collective Leadership tools (Compass, Dialogic Change Model) for coalition-building. (SDG 17, SDG 16) Support scholarships & school kits for IDP/refugee children. (SDG 4, SDG 10) Create safe spaces for trauma healing with trained peer facilitators. (SDG 3, SDG 16) Build transparent, cross-border partnerships that channel resources reliably to local implementers. (SDG 17) Document and share stories to shift narratives from victimhood to agency. (SDG 16, SDG 4, SDG 17) Message to Youth Your story is power. Start where you are, with what you have. A calm breath, a circle of peers, a ball, a sapling—these can become bridges to peace. Lead with empathy, learn together, and remember: big hearts build futures. (SDG 16, SDG 4, SDG 17) Actions Youth Can Take (now) Start a 5-minute mindfulness circle at school or club before activities. (SDG 3, SDG 16) Organise a mixed-gender sports day focused on teamwork and inclusion. (SDG 5, SDG 10, SDG 16) Run a tree-planting or seed-nursery drive with local species. (SDG 13, SDG 15, SDG 11) Collect school kits for displaced or refugee learners. (SDG 4, SDG 10) Host a peace dialogue using respectful question cards; practice listening more than speaking. (SDG 16) Create short videos/podcasts telling local stories of resilience and solutions. (SDG 4, SDG 17, SDG 16) Fundraise or partner with CSC-Asbl or similar local groups. (SDG 17, SDG 1) Join training in safeguarding, mental health first aid, and conflict mediation. (SDG 3, SDG 16) Mentor a younger peer in sport, study, or wellbeing. (SDG 4, SDG 10) Map community risks & assets (flood zones, safe spaces, youth clubs) and co-design fixes. (SDG 11, SDG 13, SDG 17) Share Your Story on SDG.VISION Inspired by this film or podcast? We’d love to showcase your action for the SDGs. Send us your short film, story, or project to Share@SDG.VISION and join a growing global network turning ideas into change.