Photo by RET

Article by RET D.R. Congo

MASISI, NORTH KIVU, DRC – On July 24, 2025, the community of Nyabiondo in Masisi Territory, came together for a vibrant agricultural fair—a celebration of hard work, growth, and the resilience of local farmers.

Organized by RET Germany and its partners FDAPID, ACPEJ and PAP-RDC, with support from the German Government (BMZ), the event brought together local leaders, farmers, traditional chiefs, and cooperative members from across the region—from Kyaninga to Makabya, Mukohwa, and Loashi.

This gathering was a chance for farmers to showcase their produce and reflect on how far they’ve come over the past four years. Since 2021, the project has helped hundreds of families get back on their feet after years of conflict and hardship. Many had no land or resources to grow food, but that began to change with access to tools, seeds, and training.

Photo by RET

The support went beyond farming. Families received cash grants to start small businesses. Malnourished children were provided with nutritional support. Peace committees were created in the villages to help resolve disputes and build stronger bonds between neighbors. And through Village Savings and Loans groups, farmers began saving and investing in their futures.

As one farmer put it, “I didn’t think I’d ever be able to send my children to school or feed them well. But today, my farm supports us—and I’m proud of what I’ve built.”

The fair was also a moment to speak openly about community challenges. Workshops and messages focused on community and family violence prevention, mental health, and the importance of working together across communities—especially in places still healing from long-standing conflict.

Photo by RET

As the project nears its official close in August 2025, RET and its partners used the event to hand over responsibility for the gains made to local communities. Authorities were encouraged to continue supporting the peace committees, farming cooperatives, and youth and women’s groups that have grown stronger through this journey.

A local chief attending the event shared his gratitude: “This work has brought life back to our communities. There’s food in the markets, families are rebuilding, and people are talking to each other again.”In places like Masisi, peace is often built one small step at a time—with a seed planted, a neighbor helped, or a child fed. And on this day in Nyabiondo, those small steps came together as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people work side by side for a better future. train more than 900 key actors and reaching more than 58,000 people with prevention messages.

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