Prodigy Peacebuilders Collaborative

At the height of the pandemic, I witnessed the deep impact of isolation on families. I saw kids my daughter’s age turning to social media and chat threads for connection—often with challenges. This made it clear how essential it is to build resilience in youth amid growing stress and division. We wanted to support my daughter in becoming her best self and quickly realized that it often takes a trusted village to do so. I began collaborating with others to listen not only to her but also to teens who were struggling with anxiety and stress—from both internal and environmental sources. I saw the urgent need for healthy relationships, dignity, and practices that promote peaceful, whole living. I knew this couldn’t be done alone—and it wasn’t meant to be. The African philosophy of ubuntu, which teaches that “I am because we are,” deeply resonated with me. As Kenyan scholar James Ogude explains, our humanity is formed in relation to others. The more I learned about restorative practices in parenting and community life, the more I felt called to bring this work to a broader scale—to foster dignity, reconcile relationships, and teach peaceful practices to youth and families. This vision ultimately led to the creation of Prodigy Peacebuilders Collaborative.