Creators of Peace Circles in Huruma Slum - Kenya
From 15 - 17 April Creators of Peace (CoP) went to Huruma Estate. This is the 4th workshop in the informal settlements of Nairobi. Like most informal settlements the basic services like water, sewage, road access, and toilets are inadequate and sometimes non-existent. Lack of security is rife and one has to be careful moving along especially for anyone who is a ‘foreigner’ in the area. Nevertheless, this did not deter CoP from taking the message to the women residing there.
Initially, the participants focused on change in leaders and others, rather than themselves.
CoP is based around personal self-knowledge and change, but many participants tended to address what they felt others needed to learn, or talk about the failings of leaders. Recognizing and taking ownership of one’s own role in peacemaking was understood from the second day and they began to appreciate it.
The major issues of concern with this group are crime, security, tribalism and the Al Shabab attacks on Kenyan soil. Earlier on there had been a grenade thrown at a bus going to Huruma leaving at least seven dead and 34 others injured. One lady shared how being honest about the insecurity can have repercussions. ‘We are aware that we live with criminals. If you let the authorities know about this, the thugs will come and attack you in the night’. She was encouraged by the other participants that she can report wrong doing anonymously.
Story sharing, which is a turning point for many, brought out deep pain. Some of them were reluctant to open up and share but one of them who had a transformative experience with story sharing before encouraged them. She said, ‘You don’t know what you are missing. If you knew, you would just share and get a shoulder to lean on. ‘Forgiveness must come from deep down in your heart. It is a journey.’
After watching the documentary “Beyond Forgiving”, which depicts the story of Ginn Fouire and Letlapa Mphahlele from South Africa rising beyond their pain to bring healing and reconciliation to their country, the women shared that they were challenged. As mothers, they know the pain of losing a child so well and forgiveness would be the last thing to offer to a person who has snatched the joy of motherhood.“If Ginn, whose daughter was killed, was able to forgive, move on and start a foundation with Letlapa, who was behind the actions that led to the death of her daughter, why not us?”- the women expressed. No pain can be compared with another, but the women felt the journey of forgiveness had just begun in their own lives.
Pamela and her daughter Purity were among the participants. There was a quiet moment when Pamela apologized to her daughter in front of everyone for some abusive language she had used with her a few years ago. Purity would talk about it in other social forums but it had never occurred to her mother the weight these words were having on her and the scar they had caused. Purity accepted the apology with a big smile.
Forgiveness brings inner peace. One participant narrated how she would tear off her clothes in anger with the feeling of wanting to hurt someone.She now has begun a journey of finding her inner peace so as to deal with the anger. ‘I leave here a strong person. Stronger than I was when I attended the first peace circle’.Another participant, Petronilla gave some advice to the other women referring to them as ‘my daughters. ’With tears rolling down her cheeks, she told them that forgiveness should not be based on age, colour, wealth, education or even power. It is unconditional and should apply to all, even to servants. ‘If you are the one in the wrong,lease apologize to them (servants) as well& nbsp; because it is the right thing to do.’ : With passion she added that she wished she had encountered the Creators of Peace program when she was younger. ‘Please make sure you pass on this good message of peace to your children both verbally and with your actions,’she concluded pointing at the women who had come along with their young ones.
Other comments made by the women include:
'I have learnt to let go of pain. If I put it in my heart, it will hurt me every day.'
‘Now we are ambassadors of peace. Each day we need to create peace starting with ourselves.’ ‘I will work on my inner peace so I can be an effective peace creator.’
‘We have role models within us. All we need is to embrace them and work together to better our society.’
After the three days of Peace Circles, the women came up with a way forward and the commitment to invite others to share a space for connecting and being part of creating peace in their community. They even chose one of the ladies, Pamela, to be their leader and agreed to meet every Monday at 3pm starting on 20 April 2015.
The Creators of Peace team in Kenya wishes to thank some members of CoP Sydney who financially supported this training.
The training and reporting was done by Wambui Nguyo, Mumbi Wambugu and Mediatrix Masava
For more information contact Mediatrix Masava.