Green Cross Sweden (GCS) has worked together with the Green Belt Movement (GBM), since 2005, to promote peace and sustainability in Kenya. Tonia Moya, of Green Cross Sweden, has traveled to Rift Valley, Kenya to document these peace initiatives, all which began under the leadership of the late Professor Wangari Maathai, founder of the GBM, and the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. In the coming week we will present a series on social media to highlight these peace projects within the: “SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES, Peaceful Transition through Equitable Resource Access and Environmental Restoration Project - A Sustainable Peace Initiative through Promotion of Good Governance and Democracy, and Environmental Management and Peaceful Transition”. Indeed a long project title, and for a wide range of diverse peace building activities, led by the people of these grassroots communities. These villages within Rift Valley have experienced great tragedy from the post-election violence of 2008, when some 300,000 became IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). They lost their homes, lands and livelihoods; and where over one thousand persons were killed. The region has the challenge of deeply rooted ethnic tension, where access to land and resources is a source of conflict. This long time peace initiative has in the meantime contributed greatly in healing severed communities, and supporting stability during the last general elections, in March 2013.This latest election period brought forth new local county and district governments, as a result of decentralization and Kenya’s new Constitution, in 2010. Since the start of the peace and reconciliation process children have returned to schools and inter-tribal communities are working together. The current project period has proved great success, where it has expanded to many dynamic peace initiatives, from water harvesting, sanitation, peace marathons, to performing arts for children. All in the name of peace. The Earth Charter declaration has been utilized as a learning tool for all ages. New groups and communities are now engaged to lead in peace building. An important target group has been the youth, as well as special focus on the empowerment of women and girls. Education and training programs were held bringing together the new local authorities and the projects District Peace Committees. In the spirit of Wangari Maathai over 7500 indigenous Peace Trees have been planted. This peace initiative is made possible by a grant from the Folke Bernadotte Academy of the Swedish government. During Tonia Moya’s travel to Rift Valley she met with hundreds of people, from Elders to youth, from different tribal communities in the region. This documentation journey was done in a teamwork, together with the GBM Executive Director, Aisha Karanja, GBM Project Officer, Teresa Muthoni, and GBM Youth Sports Volunteer, Ben Omwandho. The Green Cross and Green Belt Movement share the same philosophy of a holistic perspective over peace, security and sustainability. This unique cooperation shows the success of working over international and organizational boarders. This story should be furthered to the international community of how rural communities in Africa, once engaged in deep conflict, have come together for a common cause, and with women at the forefront are leading themselves in the work for peace and sustainability. This is an example for the entire world. And as Wangari Maathai has taught us it simply starts by planting a tree.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 23:22:14 +0000
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