About Us
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Restoring children orphaned by war, survivors of child trafficking and abuse. Rebuilding communities impacted by violence and war. Empowering a generation to resolve their trauma as a pathway to peace.
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Our StoryOne thing that history has never taught us, is how not to repeat it.- Justice Dr. Bankole Thompson
The Mending Peace exists to provide inner soul healing through trauma focused care and whole person rehabilitation for children who are orphaned by war, child trafficking survivors and survivors of abuse and exploitation in Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire. In December of 2003, Christiana Thompson traveled home to Sierra Leone for the first time. This was one year after the 11-year civil war in Sierra Leone was declared over. |
At the age of 15, Christiana stepped off of the plane at Lungi International Airport to the place where her family often referred to as home. She had heard stories of “home“ and the war while living in the United States, but because she was far removed from it she could not comprehend the complexity of what that meant for people (her extended family included) living in the midst of it. Christiana’s first interaction with the remnants of the war in Sierra Leone was her encounter with an orphan and his amputated arm begging her for money as she was stepping into the vehicle at the airport. That wouldn’t be her last encounter though.
As Christiana got into the vehicle, she was confused as to what she had just witnessed-so she inquired from the driver and her Mother. Both said, “he was probably a former child soldier or a child who was orphaned due to the war“. From that moment, the driver began sharing horrific stories of the war in Sierra Leone and when the rebels stormed Freetown. As she was in the vehicle that night heading home, she found herself trying to piece together what Sierra Leone had just overcome. Daily she witnessed the aftermath of the injustices that plagued her home. Hearing testimonies from former child soldiers, to the women and young girls who were subjected to sexual violence—Sierra Leone and its people had just suffered serious abuse and the expectation was for them to resume life as if what they had just walked through was the “norm”.
Fast forward to three years later when she would return to the United States, Christiana dedicated her time to researching and learning more about Sub-Saharan Africa. She brought stories from the African Continent to the forefront through her studies and her involvement with international organizations while at University; whether that meant debunking lies that were unjustly told about the people that impacted their identity or simply exposing injustice. In 2012, Christiana gave her life to Christ, and in 2013 a small part of the vision of The Mending Peace was revealed.
As Christiana got into the vehicle, she was confused as to what she had just witnessed-so she inquired from the driver and her Mother. Both said, “he was probably a former child soldier or a child who was orphaned due to the war“. From that moment, the driver began sharing horrific stories of the war in Sierra Leone and when the rebels stormed Freetown. As she was in the vehicle that night heading home, she found herself trying to piece together what Sierra Leone had just overcome. Daily she witnessed the aftermath of the injustices that plagued her home. Hearing testimonies from former child soldiers, to the women and young girls who were subjected to sexual violence—Sierra Leone and its people had just suffered serious abuse and the expectation was for them to resume life as if what they had just walked through was the “norm”.
Fast forward to three years later when she would return to the United States, Christiana dedicated her time to researching and learning more about Sub-Saharan Africa. She brought stories from the African Continent to the forefront through her studies and her involvement with international organizations while at University; whether that meant debunking lies that were unjustly told about the people that impacted their identity or simply exposing injustice. In 2012, Christiana gave her life to Christ, and in 2013 a small part of the vision of The Mending Peace was revealed.
In 2019,
The Mending Peace was birthed by a team of Christ-followers motivated by our conviction to “seek justice, love mercy and to walk humbly with God“ (Micah 6:8). Originally an initiative to serve young women and girls who were impacted by HIV/AIDS as a result of sexual exploitation, abuse and violence; our vision shifted to aiding in the restoration of communities impacted by violence and war by empowering a generation to resolve their trauma as a pathway to peace. We found that the issue of trauma and its impact on the mind, body and heart, can affect not just individuals and relationships, but can also negatively impact the development and cohesion of families, communities and nations. We recognized that the external wars taking place, were a result of the internal conflicts/wounds that have often been ignored, neglected, cycled and not often tended to. Through “heart work”, utilizing creative arts as a tool for inner healing for the soul wounds inflicted on the children and youth, has proven to be effective in communities where security has been threatened due to war and violence. Children, youth and the communities are being restored.
The Mending Peace partners with community leaders who are experts in their own culture. We come together and collaborate with the leaders to disciple more leaders in the community to be the impact they desire to see in their families, communities and nations. No longer bound to the pain of their past—this young generation is empowered to “wage peace“ and lead change by healing and transforming their communities.
The Mending Peace partners with community leaders who are experts in their own culture. We come together and collaborate with the leaders to disciple more leaders in the community to be the impact they desire to see in their families, communities and nations. No longer bound to the pain of their past—this young generation is empowered to “wage peace“ and lead change by healing and transforming their communities.