Tell us about a situation or issue in which you were involved which was related to the UNAOC

mandate and where you felt you needed more skills or information in order to positively influence the
outcome. How has this situation affected your desire to be involved in this field of work? (Maximum
250 words)
Fountain of Hope Youth Initiative was founded in 2003 by a group of youths impacted by the
effects of HIV/Aids, poverty, limited access to information and degradation of environment.
The 2007 post election violence in Kenya impacted our members and pushed the inception
of a new program to promote integration - conduct intercultural awareness and promote
the role of youths, women and faith groups in fostering tribal and cultural tolerance
resulting to coexistence and development.

Fueled by tribalism, cultural & religious intolerance after the disputed results of 2007 general
elections, Kenya experienced worst tribal violence that saw more than 1000 killed,
uncountable rape cases, property & foodcrop worth of millions of shillings destroyed and
over 300,000 people displaced. Because of cultural intolerance Kenya came very close to
becoming a failed state. Everytime there is cultural, religious or political abrasion the youth
are negatively exploited as the agents of violence becoming marionettes of politicians,
elders or religious leaders. In Kenya we found our selves going up in arms against ourselves
to our own peril and future generations.

Although not well addresed as a grave issue, there is on and off religious tensions in Kenya,
although we do address this issue through participatory community dialogues, I would love
to gain more skills and hear success stories how other participants approached, addressed
and extinguished the problem in various places where this is a major issue like Egypt etc. I
would also love to gather more skills on promotion of inter-tribal tolerance.