A game of unity, Creators of Peace in Barbarchun village, Baringo county, Kenya

Barbarchun, the name of the area where Creators of Peace (CoP) Circles training took place on from 2-4 May 2016. It is a name of a game that was played by men a long time ago. This was the central meeting point for the men from all the communities living in the vicinity to bring news from their specific areas of residence and discuss how to find solutions. They did this as they played the holes and stones game under a tree, hence the name of the area. This no longer happens as all the communities have become rivals. However Barbarchun has now been turned from a centre of dialogue and reconciliation into a refugee camp for warring communities.

The CoP training was one of its kind.  Twenty participants were officially invited by letter.  People living with disabilities were represented and also the senior and assistant Chiefs were participants through the entire workshop.

For many of the women, it was a moment of new insights and personal transformation.

‘I have learnt that lack of inner peace is like sickness of the heart,' said Judy, as she urged her fellow participants to be good listeners and practise unity amongst themselves and their neighbouring communities. This would help achieve sustainable peace that they would all enjoy.

Pauline promised to hold dear in her heart all the teachings she had gotten from CoP in her entire life. ‘Yesterday we got the true meaning of forgiveness. Creators of Peace has really gone deep into our hearts and I have realized that there are so many things I need to deal with in my personal life,’ she added. Catherine was also not shy to point out that women have sometimes become thieves in their own homes, stealing from their husbands and on their farms, thus destroying peace in the family. She vowed to be a role model of peace being created and not destroyed.

Kangogo works a lot with men. To her, the training was a very big boost to her confidence. She narrated how she felt boosted beyond her imagination. She said that the information she had received she would share with others and never be shaken or intimidated by anything.

The two Chiefs present were overwhelmed by the entire workshop.  They even suggested that several one-day CoP workshops be organized in their area so that more women can be reached. As a way forward, they decided to reach out to other ladies in churches, market places and in community based organizations, to share the good lessons they had learnt from the Creators of Peace workshop.

With very good preparation for the certificates awarding ceremony, everyone felt humbled as the certificates were placed on top of a table that was covered by the Kenyan flag. The colour white on the flag symbolizes peace. This brought a feeling of great responsibility to us as women in our country to build peace and ensure that the white colour remains white without stains. 

Facilitators and Report: Judy Mumbi and Annie GItu