Our History

Little Eden’s Justice and Peace Centre (LEJAPEC) is a not-for-profit organisation duly registered as a company limited by guarantee in Botswana. Founded on the principles of justice, human rights, and peaceful conflict resolution, LEJAPEC works tirelessly to empower youth and local communities. It was incorporated on 7 November 2014.

Institutional Foundation

Grassroots Mission

As a registered company limited by guarantee, LEJAPEC operates with formal legal standing and transparent governance, dedicated entirely to serving public benefit across Botswana.

From our inception, we have championed legal awareness, educational access, and youth-led peacebuilding to ensure every young person and family has the foundation to thrive.

How LEJAPEC Began

The story of LEJAPEC began on 31 December 2013, when five boys aged between 11 and 13 arrived at the Ditsheko home asking to be fed. The boys had dropped out of school and were facing difficult circumstances. The family welcomed them, provided them with food and care, and began working with them to address the challenges they were experiencing.

The Ditsheko family subsequently worked with the Tlokweng Sub-District Council to find school placements for the boys at Mafitlhakgosi and St. Joseph’s primary schools. The boys began attending school in January 2014 and were also reconciled with their families and caregivers through a peace-building and restorative justice approach.

From Five Boys to a Wider Initiative

The five boys shared their experience with their peers, and the number of young people seeking support grew. The initiative grew from the original five boys to about 50 boys and girls from varied social backgrounds, united by extreme poverty.

As the experience developed, LEJAPEC’s focus widened. The organisation recognised that many of the challenges affecting children and young people were connected to relationships within families and communities. This led to a broader approach centred on justice, peace-building and strengthening human relationships.

Establishment of LEJAPEC

As the number of children and young people grew, it became clear that supporting them could not continue solely through family resources. On 7 November 2014, LEJAPEC was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee to operate in charity work benefiting underserved populations. Peace-building and restorative justice became foundational approaches to the organisation’s work.

Growing the Work

LEJAPEC developed projects and programmes addressing education, youth development, peace-building, social justice, relationships, violence, substance abuse and sexual and reproductive health. Its documented work includes YaSkolong (Go-To-School), Marching Ensemble, PANDA, Peace Preachers Initiative, SASA, HIV and Sexual Reproductive Health Advocacy, Serving and Learning Together (SALT), and the Peace Conference & Festival.

The Peace Conference & Festival

The Peace Conference & Festival is described by LEJAPEC as the brainchild of the organisation. According to LEJAPEC’s 2025 Peace Conference & Festival catalogue, it was first launched in December 2015. The catalogue also records that the event later experienced a period without sponsorship before being held again in 2025.

The 2025 Peace Conference & Festival focused on placing peace at the centre of relationships and exploring its connection with good governance. Its programme addressed themes including forgiveness and healing, gender-based violence, crime and corruption, marriage, illicit drugs and youth-led families.

Continuing the Journey

From a response to the circumstances of five vulnerable boys, LEJAPEC has developed into an organisation whose documented work extends across education, youth development, peace-building, social justice, community empowerment and strengthening human relationships.

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