Building peace from the ground up

From a childhood in refugee camps to a Rotary Peace Fellow, Gatdet Bol Bangoang is translating lived experience into measurable, community-led peacebuilding in South Sudan.

Words: Anne Matthews. D9560 Passport Rotary Club. Qld.

Gatdet Bol Bangoang studied for a Professional Development Certificate in Peacebuilding at The Rotary Peace Centre at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, in 2024-25. He was supported by District 9920.

Growing up in a refugee camp for 12 years, Gatdet developed a deep appreciation for the power of community and importance of resilience in the face of adversity. This experience shaped his perspective on conflict resolution and motivated him to pursue a career in peacebuilding.

Furthermore, his displacement for the second time in December 2013 and later resettlement in Australia provided him with a broader perspective on challenges faced by refugee and displaced persons. He has learned to navigate cultural differences, language barriers and systematic inequalities while keeping a keen sense of purpose and commitment to social justice.

“As a Rotary Peace Fellow at Makerere University, I immersed myself in the study of peacebuilding, conflict transformation and development practice,” said Gatdet.

“The interdisciplinary curriculum – rooted in African peace frameworks, participatory governance and community resilience – equipped me with the tools to address complex challenges in fragile contexts.

“My Fellowship journey was not confined to theory; it became the foundation for a transformative Social Change Initiative (SCI) in Maiwut County, Upper Nile State, South Sudan.

Applying peace studies to practice

The SCI, titled Water for Health and Conflict Prevention, was designed to tackle two interlinked issues: lack of access to clean water and persistent inter-clan tensions. Drawing on conflict analysis, participatory methods and public health strategies learned at Makerere’s Rotary Peace Centre, Gatdet led a community-driven intervention in Lolliang Boma that integrated peacebuilding with water and sanitation development.

local leadership and accountability

The initiative emphasised local leadership and accountability: Community members found priority locations for water access, residents engaged in hygiene and peacebuilding sessions, water management groups were formed to oversee infrastructure and ensure sustainability, and regular consultations refined project activities and strengthened trust.

Focus group discussions and workshops promoted safe water use and sanitation, especially among women and children, inter-clan meetings and cultural days created platforms for dialogue, reconciliation and shared problem-solving, local health workers received training in sanitation and disease prevention, and water wells were restored, with new sites selected through inclusive community mapping.

The SCI benefited over 200 households, yielding measurable improvements. There has been a 60 per cent reduction in waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery, a 70 per cent increase in safe water and sanitation practices, and a 50 per cent reduction in inter-clan tensions through structured dialogue.

Community-led committees ensure ongoing maintenance and education, with the model now being replicated in neighbouring Bomas.

Resilience in the face of challenges

Despite its success, the initiative faced significant hurdles. Funding limitations constrained expansion, while renewed conflict – including government bombardments in Nasir and Longechuk counties bordering Maiwut – threatened continuity. Yet the resilience of local communities and the strength of partnerships sustained progress.

“My experience at Makerere University shaped every aspect of this initiative, from conflict- sensitive planning to inclusive facilitation and adaptive leadership,” said Gatdet. “It reaffirmed that peacebuilding is most effective when rooted in local realities and driven by community agency.

“The SCI stands as a testament to Rotary’s vision: that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, health and dignity. As a Rotary Peace Fellow, I am still committed to expanding this work and amplifying the voices of those building peace from the ground up.