Peace Circles discussion group (Photo: Ann Njeri)
Following a series of four women's Peace Circles in Kenya (October 2007 and May 2008) a group of 23 women took part in the first Peace Circles re-union at the St Mary's Pastoral Centre in Nakuru on 17th August. Peace Circles are part of the Creators of Peace programme of Initiatives of Change. They involve small local groups working through material specially designed to deepen friendships and understanding of each other and of their peace-building capabilities. The reunion brought together graduates from the workshops to talk about the impact of Peace Circles upon their lives and to discuss new ideas.
One young lady who was kicked out of home when she was less than 10 years old and had escaped being killed by her brother several times, spoke of a newly found relationship with her entire family: ‘After the peace circles I called together family and friends and talked to them. We forgave each other. My brother too asked for forgiveness. Now we are all working towards a better family.’ She had also started a women group, ‘Gifted Hands Peace Creators’ in her home area.
An elderly lady had decided to create peace with her brother-in-law, who had taken all that her family owned and left them poor. During the post-election violence early this year this man had led a gang of Kalenjins killing Kikuyus. The woman said: ‘After the workshop, I was asked to preach in church. I felt I would be a hypocrite. I needed to forgive and be forgiven. I decided not to preach but share my Peace Circles experience with the congregation. I forgave my brother in-law in the presence of the Church. This opened an avenue for people to give and ask for forgiveness in the church. After that I have been invited to seven meetings to preach peace; in Churches, schools, women & youth groups among others.’
The impact of the workshops was also felt at the professional level. One woman had been put in charge of the Operation Rudi Nyumbani committee, relocating internally displaced persons (IDPs) after the post-election violence. ‘I taught my committee and other administrators what I had learnt during the workshops,’ she said. ‘I reached out to the IDPs and helped them begin a healing process in their lives, which in turn encouraged them to go back home instead of staying on at the camps.’
Another woman who works in a busy government office said: ‘People come and pour their problems and expect immediate answers. The art of inner listening that I learnt in the Peace Circles has been very helpful. I have been able to persevere with humility and help people.’
The workshops had helped most of the women to see ‘peace’ in a different light. ‘I now understand what peace means. It has actually helped to change me and my family. Now I want to take it forward,’ said one woman. Another shared ‘I never had friends but I now have them. They even come for inspiration from me. Peace Circles brought changes in me.’
Not all the stories were unqualified successes. ‘After the May workshop, I promised not to see negativity in people. It has been very difficult to see positive things. I have realized how difficult it is to build peace,’ said one woman. A young undergraduate who had returned from a Peace Circle intending to tackle her deteriorating family relationships shared that her family had now broken up. ‘There was a lot of hatred, anger and pride,’ she said. ‘I tried talking to my parents and siblings…. I thought that they understood. Only to realize later that they hadn’t. My heart bleeds. If there was a place I could go and buy peace and plant it in my family, I would sacrifice everything to buy it. Peace is expensive, but in my heart there is hope that all will be well. The stories the women shared are my source of strength. With prayers, practicing forgiveness, understanding and patience, things will change. Peace Circles gave me a strong foundation for my current family situation, and continues to be a well I drink from.’
As the African proverb says, ‘It takes a whole village to raise a man.’ But a good number from that village are women, who greatly influence the way forward.
These women wanted to work together and share what they had learnt in the Peace Circles with other people. In the group discussions, tribalism, empowering women and capacity building emerged as key areas of focus. One woman had some brilliant insights on how to take this forward, working with the youth and women. Four others volunteered to coordinate and develop a programm to support these ideas.
We trust that the ripple runs wider.
Report by Carole Khakula & Ann Njeri