“This is the first time I have had peaceful night” Creators Of Peace in Kegoye Village, Vihiga County
\The second Creators of Peace Circles workshop in Kegoye village, Vihiga County which happened on 1-3 August, 2024 was truly eye-opening! We had 31 eager participants who were all ready to delve into the concept of peace. It was fascinating to see how many people only associate peace with the absence of war, completely overlooking inner peace. Many blamed external factors for the lack of peace, but we managed to shift this perspective by exploring what peace truly means. It was a powerful moment when participants realized that peace starts from within.
What made the day remarkable was a participant who, right at the beginning, sought forgiveness from a neighbor with whom they hadn't spoken for years. This courageous act swiftly emphasized the power of forgiveness, and the participant expressed:
"I apologize for the days we have ignored each other and not even exchanged greetings. Let's restore our neighborly bond and live in peace as we used to."
This act of forgiveness was followed by heartfelt songs and prayers, creating a celebratory ambiance among the participants
On the second day, during the reflection session, a participant shared a touching experience, revealing that since her husband had attended the training in the previous cohort, he had started helping with household chores and cooking meals, resulting in peaceful nights – something she hadn't experienced before in her marriage. She expressed “For the first time since I got married my husband went to the market, brought vegetables and prepared a meal for the family. Also this is the first time I have had peaceful night”
As the training drew to a close, participants confidently embraced the ethos of forgiveness, shedding their lingering grievances and reclaiming their peace. The power of forgiveness worked wonders, with many participants finding it easier to seek forgiveness from those they had wronged. It was eye-opening to witness numerous participants letting go of their anger, pain, bitterness, and sadness. One participant expressed:
"I have realized that holding onto anger and unforgiveness weighs me down and causes me a lot of pain. From today onwards, I choose to release the things, events, and people that hurt me and embrace my inner peace."
As a practical demonstration of their commitment to peace and staying united beyond the training, the group decided to initiate a savings group and merry go round, ensuring that they support each other and continue to exhibit qualities of peacebuilders, aiming to attract more individuals to join their cause.
The training concluded on a high note, with palpable joy, satisfaction, and excitement filling the air. The participants sang joyous songs, celebrated each other, exchanged heartfelt hugs, and danced together in jubilation.
The Peace Circles was facilitated by Angela Munyeti, Mediatrix Hodari and Rose Njeri.
CoP Kenya is very grateful to IPT, SZF, IofC Kenya and Shoshana, who have made the Peace Circles Possible.
By Angela Munyeti