In many communities around the world, issues such as lack of economic opportunities, social exclusion, instability, corruption, and ineffective governance have fueled religious or ethnic tensions, radicalization online, and even violence and oppression.
Recognizing the urgent need to address these pressing challenges, the OMNIA Institute for Contextual Leadership has taken up the mantle in leading a powerful movement against religious extremism and religion-based oppression and violence.
The OMNIA Institute has been training religious and civil society leaders, uniting them into Interfaith Peacemaker Teams (IP Teams), which are now taking strategic actions in various communities to combat these issues head-on.
With more than 4,500 peacemakers trained worldwide and organized into 226 IP Teams, the impact of their efforts is being felt in several countries, including Bangladesh, Indonesia, Liberia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Togo, and Uganda.
Liberia, in particular, has witnessed remarkable progress with the establishment of 21 Interfaith Peacemaker Teams, each comprising 20 dedicated religious and civic leaders. They are actively operating in three of Liberia’s fifteen counties – Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Montserrado.
The dedication and determination of these teams have proven to be instrumental in creating positive change within their respective communities.
In Grand Cape Mount County, a visionary leader from an IP Team is driving transformative change through a unique initiative that exemplifies the essence of the peace teams. Anthony B. Sembah, a Muslim leader hailing from Sonii Quarter, Sinje City, has formed the “Alliance for Economic Growth through Loans” IP Team. The team comprises both Christians and Muslims who share a common goal – empowering their community economically through microloans.
Speaking at an IP Teams meet-up in Sinje, Sembah attributed their success to the invaluable training provided by OMNIA. The training instilled in them the necessary tools and strategies to sustain peace and undermine violence within their community and across Liberia.
Inspired by the training, Sembah felt compelled to organize an IP Team aimed at eradicating economic hardships in his community through microloans.
The IP Team’s primary objective is to provide microloans to individuals with business aspirations that lack startup funds.
To generate the necessary funds for the loans, the team collectively decided on monthly contributions from its members.
These contributions are then utilized to support aspiring entrepreneurs, who would later repay the loans without interest.
In addition to providing financial assistance, the IP Team also established a monitoring team to assist borrowers with business plans and track the progress of their ventures.
Sembah expressed unwavering hope in the success of their initiative, anticipating a significant positive impact on the community’s economic well-being.
The “Alliance for Economic Growth through Loans” IP Team serves as an inspiring example of how Interfaith Peacemaker Teams are making a tangible difference in the world, particularly in Grand Cape Mount County.
As these teams continue to thrive and expand their efforts in Bomi and Montserrado counties, they bring hope and real solutions to the pressing challenges faced by their communities.
