Campaigns

These campaigns were produced for Search for Common Ground, the world's largest peacebuilding organization.

In an era of polarization and separation, these are the stories of peacebuilders who are building bridges across some of West Africa's most painful divides.

A NEW HOME: LOSS AND HEALiNG IN NIGERIA

In northeastern Nigeria, many communities struggle under the weight of 12 years of Boko Haram insurgency. Families scarred by fighting, former members of armed groups, and victims of sexual violence must contend with deeply-personal trauma, rebuilding their lives amidst suspicion and fear. Healing is a daily battle.

At Search for Common Ground, we are working to reintegrate people into society, focusing on children formerly associated with armed groups on all sides of the conflict. Through a mix of psychosocial support, job training, and mentorship, we help people to find their feet—and sometimes find hope in the process. These are their stories.

THE RADIO STARS THAT HEALED A NATION

In 1997, the guns fell silent, putting an end to the First Civil War in Liberia.

They were replaced by the voices of ex-combatants, school teachers, child soldiers, artists, and women journalists, echoing from radios all across the country.

Search for Common Ground’s production house Talking Drum Studio gave Liberians who bore the scars of the conflict a platform to inspire each other. Through talk shows, dramas, news programs, and storytelling, they joined forces to rebuild their country and provide hope to millions.

After more than twenty years of fearless work, Talking Drum Studio is a household name in Liberian media, credited for playing a vital role in post-war recovery.

These are the testimonies of the people who made it happen.

LIFE AFTER BOKO HARAM

In Niger, the threat of Boko Haram turned everyone’s lives upside down.

Teenagers became fighters. Wives became widows. Innocent people became prisoners. So many futures—upended by years of conflict.

Our Niger team’s project Kallo Lenio, Klla Founna (Together, let’s move towards the future), funded by the European Union, is helping communities all over the country emerge stronger from this crisis. We are facilitating the reintegration of forcibly married women, offering professional training to marginalized young people, and supporting the psychological healing of those who were impacted the hardest—the victims, but also the perpetrators, of the violence.

These are the stories of lives after Boko Haram.

WE WON'T LEAVE WITHOUT PEACE

January 18th, 2022 marks 20 years since the end of the civil war in Sierra Leone.

With tens of thousands of victims and millions of people displaced, the pain of that conflict is still acutely felt today. As Sierra Leoneans today continue to work together for durable peace and healing, they can count on an important ally — the same that stood by their side at the height of the war: the radio production house Talking Drum Studio.

Created by Search for Common Ground, Talking Drum Studio aired talk shows, dramas, and news programs that inspired people to find shared solutions to the conflict. It provided unbiased information to communities all across the country and gave a voice to everyone — including combatants and rebels.

Today, Talking Drum Studio is still one of the most popular radio production houses in Sierra Leone. This year, it is becoming an independent entity, and will continue providing invaluable information and inspiration to millions of people.

EBOLA TO COVID-19

Before COVID-19, there was Ebola — a virus that ravaged West Africa and fueled fear that tore at the social fabric of communities. The stories and lessons learned from Ebola have never been so relevant.

In 2013, the Ebola virus hit Guinea. The lack of trust between communities, health workers, and authorities hindered its eradication. In two years, 2,543 citizens died. Afterward, many people saw health centers as hotbeds for Ebola. This fear dissuaded people from receiving vaccinations and other needed health services.

Since 2017, the USAID-funded "Citizen Participation in Health Governance" project has been restoring the confidence and trust needed to manage epidemics in Guinea. As an implementing partner, Search collaborates with Family Health International (FHI 360) to use participatory theater to dispel fear and misinformation about health centers and workers. Actors portray real situations with themes around health and invite the audience to join in, allowing the community to be part of the solution.

With COVID-19 at the door, this program came at a crucial time. A doctor, a chief, a woman, and an actor share how theater has transformed them and their communities. Here are their stories.