Nyakuma Peter Gatkuoth is a South Sudanese refugee currently living in Uganda. She has worked for international humanitarian organizations in conflict settings, including for Oxfam GB, Nonviolence Peace Force, Mercy Corps, Care and International Red Cross. She  holds a bachelor of science in public health, and she is a trainer and a facilitator on trauma healing and reconciliation. Nyakuma founded "Together South Sudan," a non-profit organization that aims to bring together and reconcile the 64 tribes of South Sudan and to transform violent communities to be peaceful and unite through healing and reconciliation programs.

Nyakuma herself experienced trauma when she and her family were displaced during the conflict of 2013 at her home village. She witnessed death, rape, and violence. Traumatized, she lived in denial until she participated in the School of Reconciliation from the Rabagirana Ministry in Kigali, Rwanda. Since then she has helped and trained victims from the 1994 Rwandan Genocide and has traveling to various states and regions in South Sudan to mentor and conduct trauma awareness and reconciliations seminars on how to live in peace and to end vengeful violence.  She is passionate about bringing change to her country and working to help reunite the divided people of South Sudan.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Truth and Reconciliation Project

This project trained 80 youth in how to become positive change-makers in their communities. Two workshops were convened for participants in Leer. Participants were able to openly share their feelings about being hurt or hurting, and learn about options for positive action instead of resorting to violence.

"I have never heard teachings like this. This is life-changing and is what we needed to heal the society and the community affected by conflicts." - Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Nyakuma participated in the IVLP Project A Global Moment in Time: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center, in partnership with Colorado Springs World Affairs Council, Global Ties Detroit, WorldBoston, WorldChicago, Cleveland Council on World Affairs, Global Ties Kalamazoo, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, Global Minnesota, WorldOrlando, Global Ties Arizona, WorldOregon, and Global Ties San Francisco.

U.S. Communities Visited in 2023

San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Portland, OR

U.S. Communities Visited Virtually in 2021

Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA; Colorado Springs, CO; Washington, DC; Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Detroit, MI; Kalamazoo, MI; Minneapolis, MN; Cleveland, OH; Portland, OR

Country: South Sudan

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