In a bold step toward nurturing compassionate and peaceful leadership, NVC Kakuma held a transformative training session for the newly elected student council of Somali Bantu Secondary School, under the kind authorization of the school’s principal. The session aimed to introduce core principles of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) to equip these young leaders with the tools to lead with empathy, clarity, and collaboration in a culturally diverse learning environment.
Ezekiel Khamis, coordinator of NVC Kakuma, warmly opened the session by introducing the philosophy of Nonviolent Communication. With passion and clarity, he unpacked three critical NVC concepts:
• Requests vs. Demands
• Needs vs. Strategies
• Empathy
To make these concepts tangible, the students were divided into three groups, each guided by 5 trained NVC participants and 10 student leaders. Through interactive activities, reflective dialogues, and role-play, students actively engaged with the themes learning how to respond to conflict with empathy and clarity instead of judgment and force.
Ruach Liep Tuach, the newly elected President of the Student Council, expressed heartfelt appreciation:“This training has changed how I see leadership. I’ve learned that real leadership is about listening, understanding, and guiding not commanding.”
During the exercise on Requests vs. Demands, Girawa Patricia , head girl, shared her takeaway:
“Today I understood the power of making a request instead of a demand. I will apply this to bring unity and understanding among students.”
Capturing every moment behind the lens was Steve Clark, NVC Kakuma’s volunteer photographer, ensuring that the memories and messages of peace lived beyond the event.
Aben Ayuel, another key NVC participant, shared in closing:
“Seeing students embrace NVC so openly gives me hope. These leaders are going to change the atmosphere of this school.”
As the session came to an end, the atmosphere was filled with hope and a new sense of leadership. These students didn’t just walk away with knowledge they walked away transformed, ready to lead with empathy and peaceful intention.
#NVCLeadership 
#StudentEmpowerment  
#PeaceThroughDialogue 
#KakumaVoices 
#EmpathyInAction