About Us

Our Story

Our journey began in August 2018 with Student Talks, a student-led platform created by students in response to growing concerns about the well-being of young people in Kisumu County, Kenya. At the time, schools were experiencing more student strikes and school fires, while communities were witnessing rising frustration among young people, driven by economic hardship, unemployment, relationship challenges, and uncertainty about the future. These pressures were also accompanied by increasing reports of mental health struggles and suicide among students and young people, underscoring the urgent need for safe spaces where they could be heard, supported, and inspired.

Rather than focusing solely on the symptoms, Student Talks sought to address the root causes. As students then, we created spaces where fellow students could openly discuss the issues affecting their lives through peer-to-peer conversations, storytelling, and shared experiences. These dialogues encouraged young people to reflect on personal wellbeing, peaceful conflict resolution, leadership, civic responsibility, and the role they could play in building safer and more resilient communities.

Students learned from one another’s experiences and gained practical skills to identify early warning signs of violence, report emerging risks, seek support when needed, and take collective action to prevent conflict within their schools and surrounding communities. The program also encouraged civic engagement, helping young people understand the importance of participating in democratic processes and contributing positively to society.

They demonstrated that when young people are trusted, listened to, and given the right tools, they become powerful agents of peace. Inspired by this momentum, Student Talks evolved into Women Volunteers for Peace (WOVOP), a registered community-based organization in 2019. Since then, WOVOP has grown beyond schools and universities to work alongside especially girls and young women who are disproportionately affected by conflict, violence, and exclusion. Through peacebuilding, leadership development, civic education, mental wellbeing initiatives, and community engagement, we continue to invest in young women and men as leaders and changemakers.

Today, WOVOP is powered by a network of more than 420 dedicated volunteers across Kisumu, Kenya, and beyond. While our mission centers on promoting the role of girls and young women as leaders, we recognize that sustainable peace cannot be built by girls and women alone. Men, boys, women, and girls have all played an essential role in our journey as allies and supporters, and together we continue to create more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient communities.