DO NO HARM training saved my wife and children

September 2024 is one of the worst memories for Pastor Timothé of the Protestant Church of Sevaré. While he was at the bedside of a patient, armed men kidnapped his wife and three children as they were returning from Koro, where they had attended a wedding. Immediately after learning the sad news, his first instinct was to join forces with his fellow religious leaders, who had been trained in the Do No Harm approach through the FCPA Project, to begin negotiations with the kidnappers.

He then called upon Imam Issa of Koro. The two men of different faiths (Christian and Muslim) put into practice the lessons learned during the training, specifically two key modules: the problem tree and the conflict situation in two villages. 

‘’For three days, Imam Togo and I put into practice the advice we learned during the Do No Harm training. Through an intermediary, we emphasized the benefits of living together and non-violence.

Our advocacy produced results, as my wife and children were released along with the other hostages. I am convinced that the kidnappers were sensitive to the collaboration between a pastor and an imam. Thanks to our intervention, the armed groups freed more than 400 hostages during the three days. Today, the DO NO HARM (Do No Harm) training has helped strengthen cohesion among all religious groups in Mopti.

If I hadn’t participated in this World Vision training, my wife and children might not have survived. Most of the religious leaders who spread messages of mistrust and hatred among followers no longer do so. Because during the training, they learned that we have more in common than those that divide us.” "If we apply even 10% of the Do No Harm approach, our society will be stable," Pastor Timothé told us.

The example of Pastor Timothé and Imam Issa, as well as the efforts of other religious leaders in raising awareness about social cohesion, continue to strengthen community life and the relevance of the "Do No Harm" approach in the Mopti district, which has experienced intercommunity conflicts for years. Thanks to the Do No Harm training, many intercommunity conflicts are avoided, and social cohesion is taking place, leading to the establishment of lasting peace.

Pastor Timothé  poignant testimony highlights the significant impact of the "Do No Harm" training on conflict resolution and peace promotion in fragile contexts. His experience illustrates in concrete terms how religious leaders, by transcending their differences, can collaborate for the well-being of their communities.

The fact that he was able to partner with Imam Issa, despite their religious differences, is a testament to the effectiveness of the "Do No Harm" approach.

This method encourages dialogue, mutual understanding, and non-violence—essential elements for defusing tense situations and preventing the escalation of conflict. Their joint efforts to convince the kidnappers to release the hostages demonstrate that concerted action can bear fruit, even in the most desperate times.

The release of his wife and children, along with other hostages, underscores the importance of interfaith collaboration in crisis resolution. By promoting coexistence and human dignity, Pastor Timothé and Imam Issa not only saved lives but also strengthened social cohesion in the Mopti region, which has suffered from intercommunal tensions. Their story is a powerful reminder that lasting peace is possible when leaders of different faiths unite for a common goal. By putting the training lessons into practice, these religious leaders demonstrate that dialogue and understanding can overcome mistrust and hatred, contributing to a more stable and harmonious future. 

Thus, the "Do No Harm" approach is proving to be a valuable tool for building bridges between communities, and it is encouraging to see more and more leaders committing to this approach. The commitment of Pastor Timothé and his peers is a source of inspiration and a model for other regions facing similar challenges.