Research

Peer Reviewed Journal Article
Yoder-Maina. A. (2020).
Resources for Peace: Trauma-informed peacebuilding approaches to countering violent extremism in Kenya.
Many Peaces Magazine
Brief description: Trauma-informed peacebuilding approaches to countering violent extremism in Kenya

Book
Yoder-Maina. A. (2022).
Healing is what makes peace work: A healing-centered peacebuilding approach.
Springer Nature, Cham, Switzerland.
Brief description: The book goes beyond mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) to a holistic approach centered on healing. The book lays at the intersection of peacebuilding, global mental health, and development.

The Trauma Therapist, “Sitting Back, Listening, and Holding Space.”
March 2020
Brief Description: The Trauma Therapist podcast interviews Dr. Angi Yoder Maina to discuss sitting back, listening, and holding space.

Green String Network
Brief Description: Dr. Angi Yoder is a Founder and Executive Director of this social movement in Nairobi, Kenya that works with communities to heal social and collective traumas. Her passion drives her to facilitate understanding of trauma's impact, promote open dialogue about violence, and empower communities to replace victimhood with resilience. Angi is a catalyst for transformative change and social healing.

Research Projects

The need for holistic mental health support grows every day in poor, violent communities all over Africa. When implementing healing-centered programs in new contexts, it is important to adapt the curriculum and design new materials for these contexts so that the new program speaks to the realities, experiences, and uniqueness of the people the program targets.

Kumekucha Quest: Connections for Healing and Hope — Funded by Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) — Kenya
A GCC pilot with the focus on youth mental health (8-24 years old), social-emotional learning (SEL), increasing positive connections, peer support, Breaking cycles of violence, environmental crisis, and the impact of climate change, collective & social healing; and community prevention structures.

Virtual Wellbeing and Resilience Peer Support Groups — Funded by the State Department and Self-funded — Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan
A focus on humanitarian, environmental, human rights, and peacebuilding organizations, saving circles, and youth entrepreneurs.

Arise and Shine — Funded by the European Union (EU) — Abyei, South Sudan/Sudan
Implemented in Abyei, South Sudan/Sudan through community-based religious institutions. Focus on breaking cycles of violence, environmental crisis, collective & social healing, and interreligious conflict.

Yeragchin: It’s Ours — Funded by USAID — Ethiopia
Pilot in Gambella Region and with political and cultural leaders. Focus on breaking cycles of violence, environmental crisis, collective & social healing; and ethnic conflict.

Muamko Mypa: Healing the Uniform — Funded by the US State Department and FCDO (UK) — Kenya
Co-designed with the Kenya National Police Service. Focus on breaking cycles of violence, preventing violent extremism, and social healing with communities.

Kumekucha: It’s A New Dawn — Funded by the US State Department and USAID — Kenya
Focus on Breaking cycles of violence, preventing violent extremism, and social healing with security actors.

Quraca Nabadda: Tree of Peace — Funded by the US State Department, USAID, IOM, IDLO, SSF — Somalia
Focus on breaking cycles of violence, environmental crises, preventing violent extremism, collective & social healing, stabilization, and local governance formation.