Lighting the way: Quaker witness in troubled times
Maisa Monteiro shares some of the work Quakers in Britain has done this year and highlights our new contribution materials.
Another year gone by, that felt so quick. It was another eventful year of difficult moments - with conflicts, political tension, and financial uncertainty all around us. As I write this blog, I often ask myself: how do we keep the light of hope and faith alive? I struggle to convey a positive message, given the state of the world. However, I try to look at the small achievements and the breadth of work we do to keep that sliver of positivity alight.
Witness rooted in Spirit
At the heart of our new contribution pack is the way Quakers in Britain is making a difference through work grounded in faith, guided by values, and supported by the community. Whether it's teaching peace in UK schools or helping communities heal in Burundi, your support has helped keep the Quaker light shining.
Quaker witness is not reactive; it is responsive. It comes from listening to the spirit, to one another, and to the needs of our society and our world. Whether it is by supporting young people in exploring nonviolence or accompanying communities as they heal from trauma, Quaker work is grounded in commitment and led by discernment. A positive example of work grounded in commitment is the work Turning the Tide (TTT) Burundi has done promoting participation in the elections.
Promoting peace ahead of elections
Burundi, one of the world's poorest countries, has endured civil war and election-related violence. Ahead of the June 2025 parliamentary elections, TTT Burundi worked to foster peaceful coexistence among young people from different political parties.
Through civic education workshops, 100 participants from four political parties were trained in nonviolence and democratic engagement. What began as deep division has turned into collaboration: party members who once could not meet now work together on shared campaigns, even creating a theatre roleplay promoting peace.
This unprecedented cooperation is a beacon of hope. Local leaders are now calling for peaceful elections and a more democratic space. TTT Burundi is part of Turning the Tide East Africa, a Quaker-supported, community-led programme addressing the root causes of injustice to build sustainable peace.
Your support lights the way
This year's contribution pack shares inspiring stories of Quaker witness in action. You'll read about Friends working for peace in schools, supporting conscientious objectors, and building bridges across divides. These stories are a testament to the transformative power of faith-led action.
We invite you to take a look at the new contribution materials, share them with your meeting, and think about how you might get involved. Whether it's through giving, talking, or simply reflecting, your support makes a difference.
Together, we can keep lighting the way.
