From Six Continents, 300 Volunteers Unite in Africa for Historic Peace Initiatives

Over 300 volunteers from the Sikh community across six continents, joined Bhai Sahib (Prof) Mohinder Singh Ji OBE KSG MGH, Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), on a historic month-long mission of peace, service, and prayer across Africa. The journey, spanning Botswana, Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa, combined acts of selfless service with interfaith dialogue and community regeneration.

Guided by Sikh principles of ‘Nishkam Seva’ (selfless service), forgiveness, and peacebuilding, the mission brought together doctors, teachers, engineers, business leaders, and students, all united by a shared commitment to humanity. Led by Bhai Sahib Ji, a global faith leader advancing the ‘Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation’, the pilgrimage offered a living expression of shared human-values in action.

Across the four countries, volunteers:

• Prepared and served tens of thousands of free meals
• Supported schools, prisons, and hospitals
• Launched initiatives promoting peace, education, and community development

Key highlights included:

• Botswana: The Parliament of Botswana formally adopted the Peace Charter for Forgiveness and Reconciliation and presented Bhai Sahib Ji with the prestigious Botswana Parliamentary Award of Recognition.
• Kenya: The inaugural Kericho Peace Festival, a mega event celebrating children’s values-led education alongside the centenary celebration of Kericho Wagon Works, a source of skilled employment for the local community. Bhai Sahib Ji was also formally appointed as an honorary ‘Elder’ by the Kipsigis indigenous community.
• Zambia: Opening of a community health clinic and an interfaith dialogue event. Zambia also included a meeting with Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia.
• South Africa: A major Sikh Council of Africa conference in Johannesburg and the adoption of the Peace Charter by Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Mayor of Cape Town.

In Kericho, Kenya, volunteers delivered transformative projects, including the opening of fully equipped modern kitchen and dining facility at Kericho Women’s Prison, designed to improve nutrition and rehabilitation for women inmates and their children.

The first-ever Kericho Peace Festival at Green Stadium brought together hundreds of children from primary and Sunday schools, celebrating shared values through songs, poems, dances, and skits. The festival also marked the centenary of Kericho Wagon Works and honored the enduring legacy of Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji the Founder of GNNSJ, whose life of selfless service continues to inspire Nishkam projects across the world. With government, civic leaders, faith representatives, and families in attendance, the event blended culture, education, and spirituality, creating a shared commitment to peace and unity for future generations.

Elder Richard K. Ngeno, Chairman of the Myoot Kipsigis Council of Elders, the traditional leadership body representing the Kipsigis community, attended the ceremony as a distinguished guest. As a respected custodian of Kipsigis culture and community priorities, he praised Bhai Sahib Ji’s spiritual leadership and long-standing commitment to education, health, welfare, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment, noting investments exceeding KSh 462 million.

The Council commended GNNSJ and pledged ongoing collaboration to ensure that these initiatives continue to uplift children, youth, and vulnerable households. This historic honour reflects the century-long friendship between the Africans and the Sikh community and celebrates their shared commitment to faith-driven service, peace, and development.

Speaking of the Kericho Peace Event, Bhai Sahib Ji shared: “Peace is not just the absence of conflict. It begins in the heart of every child, within every family, and in every community. When children learn the power of forgiveness and reconciliation, they carry these values into society, shaping a more compassionate future.”

As the festival drew to a close, Bhai Sahib Ji offered a message that lingered in every heart: “If we sow peace in our children today, we will reap peace in the world tomorrow.”

The peace mission across Africa has been unforgettable,” said Mr. Singh, a volunteer from the UK. “From feeding children to supporting women in prisons and working with interfaith communities, I’ve seen the true power of selfless service. In the end, the measure of the journey was not in the miles travelled, but in the hearts touched. The communities we served were left not just with memories, but with lasting legacies of care, peace, and hope.”

On 20 August in Zambia, Bhai Sahib met with Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, who remarked:

“We received a courtesy call from Bhai Sahib (Prof.) Mohinder Singh Ahluwalia, Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), and his delegation at State House this afternoon. His discussion with us centred on the organisation’s noble objectives in promoting world peace, economic development, education, school feeding programs for the underprivileged children, and the enduring values of Religious Faith.

We were particularly pleased to learn that from 1969 to 1989, Prof. Ahluwalia lived in Zambia, where he served as Technical Manager at the National Housing Authority, making valuable contributions to our nation’s development.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Prof. Ahluwalia and his delegation for their continued commitment to advancing human dignity and social progress. Zambia values its long-standing tradition of openness and inclusivity, and we look forward to working closely with GNNSJ in fostering peace, unity, and shared prosperity for our people.”

The peace mission extended to South Africa, culminating in the historic signing and adoption of the prestigious Peace Charter by Geordin Hill-Lewis, the Mayor of Cape Town. This landmark moment not only underscored the city’s commitment to fostering unity and reconciliation but also positioned Cape Town as a beacon of hope and collaboration in the global pursuit of peace.  The meeting was coordinated by the Consulate General of India in Cape Town.

Johannesburg hosted a landmark gathering where more than 300 religious and community leaders joined South African political figures to highlight the crucial role of faith leaders in addressing conflicts and challenges across the continent.

Under the theme ‘Bridging Beliefs: Advancing Peace Through Interfaith Harmony in Africa,’ organisers described the event, the first of its kind, as a cornerstone for fostering peace and collaborative spirituality throughout Africa. Delivering the keynote address,   South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr. N. D. Masemola, reminded participants that the country’s 1996 Constitution recognises all religions and faiths.

“Religious leaders play a vital role in peace-building by sending a trusted voice as mediators and mentors and role models to mobilise communities for peace. They should also foster social cohesion through interfaith dialogue and collaboration,” Masemola said.

At the event Bhai Sahib Ji shared his lifetime of commitment to global peace, inspired by Nelson Mandela. He shared how the Peace Charter had been embraced by some global leaders in Germany in 2019, but not implemented by all. “If humanity had embraced the Peace Charter, we would have seen the end of many wars, genocides and atrocities. Perhaps it is time to revisit this document to remind ourselves that with rights comes responsibilities and with responsibilities come peace,” said Bhai Sahib Ji.

Bhai Sahib Ji was honoured to receive the prestigious African Royal Award.

Please see digital timeline of the Peace Initiative here.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

• Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) is a UK-headquartered Sikh faith-inspired charitable organisation that promotes selfless service (sewa), education, health, and interfaith harmony globally. Inspired by the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji (Founder of the Sikh faith), GNNSJ’s mission is to serve with humility, foster unity, and build a compassionate society grounded in universal spiritual values.

• Bhai Sahib Professor Mohinder Singh is the Chairman of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ), a faith-based charitable organisation headquartered in Birmingham, UK, with global outreach across education, health, civic engagement and interfaith work. In recognition of his tireless efforts to promote peace, reconciliation and interreligious harmony, Bhai Sahib Ji was awarded the Pontifical Order of Knighthood of St Gregory the Great (KSG) by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 – becoming the first Sikh in history to receive this honour. Bhai Sahib Ji received the Papal knighthood with humility, dedicating it to the Guru’s message of selfless service and unity among all humanity.
  
  
• The Kericho Peace Festival was held for the first time in 2025, with a focus on children aged 6–14 years. The event combined creative expression, moral education, and cultural heritage, making it a pioneering community festival in Kenya.

• The Peace Charter for Forgiveness & Reconciliation: Inclusive in its mission and development, the Charter has been globally co-created since its conception in 2011 and has travelled across the globe and received significant contribution, consultation, and endorsement from over 100 world religious leaders and humanitarians. It has been shared, discussed and noted by esteemed leaders including the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, Pope Francis, Desmond Tutu, Uhuru Kenyatta (former President of Kenya) and The Rt Hon Theresa May MP, amongst many others.
  
  
• Kericho Wagon Workshop, founded in 1925 by Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji, the workshop originally produced wooden wagons to transport freshly picked tea leaves from farms to processing factories. It quickly became an industrial hub and a source of skilled employment for the local community.