FINDING PEACE WITHIN CHAOS: MY JOURNEY THROUGH THE ANGLOPHONE CRISIS IN CAMEROON 🇨🇲

PEACE IS...

Peace, to me, is the quietness of my mind after a long day of uncertainty. It’s that deep breath I take before stepping out of the house each morning, reminding myself that no matter what happens outside, I still have control over what happens inside. Inner peace is when I forgive quickly, let go of bitterness, and choose calm over anger. It’s when I can smile genuinely, even when things around me are not perfect.

But peace is not only emotional. It is also practical, the kind of peace that allows families to sleep through the night without gunshots echoing in the distance. It is children walking to school freely, parents going to work without fear, and communities where everyone’s rights are respected. That is the kind of peace I dream of for myself, my family, and everyone in my community.

In my community in Cameroon, peace is something we talk about every day because we live in its absence. The Anglophone crisis has affected nearly every part of our lives. You can tell that people are tired, tired of running, tired of losing, tired of pretending that life is normal. Some days, it’s the silence that scares us most. We never know if it means safety or danger.

Markets close early, schools operate irregularly, and families are separated. Young people have lost opportunities, not because they lack talent, but because of insecurity. I have seen mothers cry after hearing that their children were caught in crossfire while simply trying to go about their day. These moments remind me that peace is not just a word, it’s a necessity.

There was a day that changed everything for me. I was on my way to school when we suddenly heard gunshots. Everyone scattered. I remember hiding behind a small wall, trembling and praying. That was the first time I truly understood what fear feels like, the kind that freezes your body and clogs your mind.

Before that day, I thought peace simply meant the absence of noise or conflict. But in that moment, I realized that peace is actually the presence of safety, hope, and trust. When these are taken away, life becomes survival instead of living. That day planted in me a deep desire to become a voice for peace, especially for women and young people like me.

Women and girls in my community carry invisible scars. When violence breaks out, they are the first to flee and the last to find safety. Many girls have been forced out of school, and some have faced abuse and trauma that no one talks about. Mothers struggle to feed their families because farms are no longer safe, and businesses have collapsed.

Yet, amidst the pain, women have become the backbone of survival. They form small groups to comfort one another, share food, and teach displaced children under trees when schools remain closed. Their resilience gives hope to everyone around them. They lead peace talks, volunteer as mediators, and keep families together. They are living proof that women are not just victims, they are builders of peace.

If I could speak to global leaders, I would tell them that peace must begin with listening. Too often, decisions are made for communities instead of with them. I would urge them to:

1. Involve more women and youth in peace-building conversations and decision-making processes.

2. Support trauma-healing and counseling centers for victims of the conflict.

3. Create educational and economic opportunities that restore dignity and reduce the desperation that fuels violence.

We need peace efforts that are practical, inclusive, and consistent, not just promises made during crises.

In my small way, I’ve started talking about peace on social media and during community youth gatherings. I use my voice to promote forgiveness, empathy, and dialogue. I also share awareness messages about inner healing and mental health, because I believe that a peaceful mind is the first step toward a peaceful society. My dream is to expand this initiative into a platform that empowers young people, especially girls, to become advocates for peace through storytelling and education.

Peace is not a luxury, it is a basic human need. I may not be able to stop the conflict around me, but I can choose to nurture peace within myself and inspire others to do the same. I believe that when individuals heal internally, communities can heal externally. And maybe then, we can all experience what true peace feels like, the kind that allows every child to dream again.