The Ultimate Healing: Peace Circles in Kositei village, Baringo County- Kenya
Creators of Peace had yet another thrilling experience sharing with the women of Baringo County. This took place from the 7- 9 September. The training brought together a group of seventeen women who live in Kositei area of Chemlingot, East Pokot. This area like many others in Baringo, has some cultural practices that make it hard for development, especially education. Men still believe that girls are meant for marriage and dowry; hence very few girls are taken to school. Due to this, animal rustling is still practiced to provide the young boys (as well as the old men) with cows and goats to pay their dowry.
Initially the women were reluctant to ask the facilitators to increase the little amount set aside for their lunch, since according to them, they had come to be paid. However, shortly after the introduction and the first introductory points they were invited for reflection and sharing. This caused a turn of event when the same lady who was assuming the role of a “spokesperson” for the group, was the first to ask if she could be allowed to share a little bit about her family.‘So many members of my family, including my husband and children are dead. Sometimes I am not able to sleep. Lost in thought, I get stressed, but from learning about what creates and destroys peace, I have realized to be at peace I need to let go. It’s not in my power and there is nothing I can do about it. This is the first time in about ten years that I am feeling the conviction to accept and let go, and am feeling lighter!' she shared.
To the team, this sharing on day one was an example. The lady who had raised demands, together with the rest, apologized heartily for having done so before getting to know about what Peace Circles was all about. From then on, the rest of the ladies opened up their hearts and ears ready to learn how to change the world one step at a time starting with themselves. One by one they contributed and shared genuinely about their experiences, challenges and how the training had come at the right time to change their perception of almost everything in life.
Tina, one of the elderly ladies, shared how she almost committed suicide because her husband was taking another woman and neglecting her because she couldn’t have many children – but only two sons and no daughter to fetch her husband some dowry! She told that she had vowed never again in this life to talk or even relate with her husband. But from the Peace Circles training she told us how she was trying to understand the whole issue from her husband’s point of view and that she would initiate a dialogue with him to mend the relationship. To the CoP facilitators, that was a step forward and it didn’t matter how small it seemed.
One main challenge for the CoP team was the presence of snakes during the whole training! The training took place in the shade, and so it took them by surprise that they were sharing the shade with over five snakes over their heads! The area is quite hot and so everything scrambles for any shade available. The hosts however tried to reassure the team that those snakes were harmless and that even if they did bite, they were not poisonous!
The women thanked the CoP Kenya team for braving the excruciating temperatures and snakes just to share with them what they regarded as valuable teaching They committed themselves to reach more and more women through churches, groups and markets to pass on the ‘light’. The training ended in a beautiful official recognition ceremony that was graced by the area Chief, Mrs Constantine Kaptuya.
Facilitators: Esthermarrie Inzekellah, Mary Kuket & Rose Kamau
Report by: Esthermarrie Inzekellah, & Rose Kamau