Promises of Peace One Day

By Suzzanne Pautler

Talk of pelau, bananas, and tamarind juice must have been in the air because prior to our start time of 9:30, 45 participants were already seated and ready to begin the workshop.  In all, 85 participants, the youngest being just two years old, arrived for our final day together. The theme "Perceptions of Peace" was the focus of our four day program and on the final day it seemed fitting to have the older students reflect upon this ideal. Students were asked to write down specific actions they will undertake in order to ensure peace within their community. 

10 year old Mary promises to share what she has, like food, with others. 13 year old Erick will stop fights on the streets. 17 year old Amani promises to be honest. 11 year old Alice will love her friends. 14 year old Jackson will share story books. 13 year old Leah promises she and her friends will play together.  16 year old Emmanuel says we need to pray for all people who are in need in order to find peace in the community. 13 year old Zaiwadi suggests that we must love and be proud of our community. 9 year old Furaha wishes we could all dance together. 13 year old Johnson says that peace will come anytime we do good things for our friends. 11 year old Katana thinks we should all sing together to make peace. 11 year old Baraka will visit the sick. 11 year old Amina suggests that peace will come if we eat together.  This was also believed by 13 year old Sophia who said she will invite others to share a meal. 11 year old Neema will make peace by helping an old man. 10 year old Emma says that she will live without fighting because she loves peace. 16 year old Kadzo will bring peace to the community by working together with others. 16 year old Nuru thinks everyone must participate in games and team building activities because they enhance interaction with others which brings peace. 14 year old Sauda believes we must ensure that people participate in all community activities. 11 year old Joyce promises to forgive others. 14 year old Mariana will visit the church to find peace. 12 year old Maureen believes peace will come if we cook together. 10 year old Jamal promises if we dance, play, and chat together, then we will have peace. 11 year old Heri will love his friends and love his parents to make peace.

These are a few examples of the perceptions of peace from the perspective of the youth from the Kenyan coast.  Are these perceptions unique to this area?  Or are these common perceptions that we will hear from youth around the world as we approach the UN's Peace One Day date of September 21st

http://www.peaceoneday.org/