ISSUE XIV • FALL 2013
A Decade Within Centuries by cynthia travis
Next year, everyday gandhis will celebrate 10 years of peacebuilding work in Liberia. How do we measure the results and determine whether we have been successful? Conventional NGO’s measure success in terms of quantifiable results. Expenditures have to be justified to funders but not necessarily to the people they are supposedly there to serve. Projects are often designed by outside ‘experts’. ‘Target communities’ are seldom asked what people need or want, why, or how. Few aid workers are trained in skillful community entry and may not know who the true stakeholders are. Who are the real experts, especially in violence-torn communities? Are they outsiders with advanced degrees and, often, vested economic or political interests, who design projects in far-away offices, or are they the local people who know the culture, the land, the community and the problems people face? Add to these questions the long histories of corruption and competition for resources (among aid agencies, governments and corporations) and also the very real and legitimate need of donors to know how aid dollars are being spent. Peacebuilding pioneer John Paul Lederach has said that ‘it takes about as long to get out of a conflict as it took to get in’. Aid projects are often designed, and their success teepee, by amy teal measured, in quantifiable numbers: schools built, wells dug, children vaccinated, women who voted, etc. Time frames are typically weeks, months or at most a few years. Liberia’s civil war lasted 14 years. Is this is how long it should take to create lasting peace there? Applying Lederach’s maxim, we’d have to trace back to the beginning of the slave trade in West Africa in the 1750’s, followed by over one hundred years of slavery, then the traumatic return voyage of freed slaves sent back to colonize Liberia in the 1820’s, and the approximately 150 years before the Liberian civil war erupted in 1989. By this calculation, now that the war has been over for 10 years, we have another 250 years to go before we’ll know whether peace in Liberia is sustainable and healing is complete. In this light, how should aid projects
be designed? If we are working on a 1-5 year timeline, with current political agendas on the current global chess board, including current levels of resource availability, use and depletion, climate change, etc., then how can we claim that our efforts are going to bring the desired results? And what are the desired results? Liberia is resource rich. Chinese and others are buying up African farmland; America, Europe, China and other countries are vying for Africa’s (and Liberia’s) fresh water, timber, oil, gold, and other raw materials. Donor countries want to see certain kinds of economic, educational and political systems in place. Are they aligned with local people who have a rich and complex culture very different from, say, Western or Chinese culture? And, given that the US is the world’s largest consumer of non-renewable resources, the world’s largest contributor to global warming, the world’s largest supplier of weapons and the world’s primary destination for the modern slave trade, are we necessarily the best ‘experts’ on what is right for the rest of the world? Projects arising from local needs and local culture, that are inclusive of as many stakeholders as possible and calibrated to attain long-term cultural, social, ecological and economic sustainability on a 200-500 year timeline involve a different way of thinking altogether, with an entirely different set of questions and goals. During our first 10 years of work in Liberia, perhaps 10,000 people or more have participated in the ceremonies, negotiations, soccer games and storytelling we have sponsored. We have 14 Liberian scholarship students, with 3 college graduates, and about 40 trained permaculture designers. But what do these numbers actually mean? In Liberia people say, “If I am healed, I can heal 20 people just by interacting with them. Each of them can heal 20 more, who heal 20 more, and so on.” By that measure, we may have reached Continued on page 3…
THE PALAVER HUT • ISSUE XIV • FALL 2013
Table of Contents
1 A Decade Within Centuries 2 In This Issue Screenings of T.F.T.F 4 5 An Unexpected Reaction 6 From the Perspective of the Audience 7 T.F.T.F Screening Campaign 8 Second Peace Games from Monrovia 10 Erosion of Our Coastline 11 A Year of Blessings by cynthia travis by amy teal
by lassana kanneh
by sarah hartmann by varlee sheriff
everyday gandhis
by weedor m. kumi by weedor m. kumi by varlee sheriff
IN THIS ISSUE you will hear from Cynthia Travis, the founder and director of everyday gandhis, as she speculates on the effects of nearly a decade of peacebuilding efforts in Liberia. Quantifying outcomes is nearly impossible within the field of grassroots initiatives, so how do we measure our efficacy? Cynthia will take you through various theories and aphorisms on her eloquent quest to find proof within the intangible. You will read the thoughtful reports of two Future Guardians of Peace as they experience screenings of THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE: From Child Soldiers to Peacebuilders amongst an audience and on a feature screen. They express experiencing a removed, third-party perspective of which provided them with new understandings. Sarah Hartmann, the most recent addition to the everyday gandhis family, reflects on THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE as a refreshingly distinctive take on the subject of child soldiering. Read on as she renders her expertise in somatic psychology and applies the concept of ‘resilience’ to the young men in the film. The sponsored students of everyday gandhis and the Future Guardians of Peace, continue to mobilize communities into a resounding effort towards reconciliation. Learn how the Mobile Peace Teams are expanding peace talks and hospitable interactions across borders. Allow Weedor Kumi to recount the everyday gandhis sponsored trip to Buchanan, where the youth set out in search of more solutions to West Africa’s eroding coastline. They learned about the newest measures being taken to prevent land degradation, and are eager to share their insights. Without further ado, we hope that you find these articles as enriching as the experiences that have inspired them. Amy Teal is the everyday gandhis' Media Coordinator.
spring in hand
…continued from cover. many thousands beyond our imagining. But how do we measure the healing of the land? Of people’s ancestors and the spirits of the children who perished in the war? Of the rivers swollen with dead bodies? Of the makers and sellers of the weapons used for all this killing? Habuka Bombande, Founding Director of WANEP (West Africa Network for Peacebuilding) says that we need to develop a global culture of ‘mutual accountability’. One measurement, then, of ‘success’ is to ask: How has everyday gandhis’ peacebuilding work, this healing that we seek in Liberia, changed us here in the U.S.? How do our work and our relationships help us heal each other? In September of 2005, at the end of a long rainy season, I was in Liberia with several Liberian and American colleagues, and with my dear friend and advisor, Deena Metzger. Our car, like everyone else’s, had broken down in the mud. It was twilight and the next village was several kilometers from where we were stranded. No cars could get through from either direction. I am ashamed to say that Deena and I felt uneasy. We arrived in Johnstown to find that rice was already cooking for the evening meal, we were given permission to sleep on the floor of the local clinic, and our exhausted driver was already repairing our vehicle. The Town Chief introduced himself by saying, “You are our strangers, and we welcome you!” Then someone handed each of us an infant, twin girls. We realized it was Rosh Hashannah eve, the beginning of the Jewish New Year, a time when one seeks to make amends with those we have hurt, and to reflect on our behavior for the past year in hopes of being ‘inscribed in the book of life’ for one year more. How apt for us to find ourselves entirely dependent – and fully welcomed and cared for – by such generous and patient Liberian friends.
crop rows, photo by amy teal
brought us together to grieve, dream, witness, reflect, share, write, and take action according to the guidance of our own hearts. We ride the roller coaster of understanding that one day lifts us up and the next moment shatters all our insights, hopes and expectations. We experiment with various timelines and try on new questions. We seek to make amends. We look for guidance from the natural world and changes in our dreaming. We practice not knowing, and not needing to know. In the face of uncertainty, we continue to open ourselves to each other, to the stories, and to new ways of being that we hope will bring healing in our lifetimes and in times beyond our own. Dayenu. May we be given another year, together. Cynthia Travis is the Founder and President of everyday gandhis.
There is a Jewish expression, Dayenu, which means, roughly, ‘If only this had happened, it would have been enough,’ and it is part of the Passover story that names, in the form of a call-and-response poem, all the miracles of deliverance for which the Jewish people can be grateful. Though I am not a religious or even a very observant Jew, I love Rosh Hashanah, and I love Dayenu, with the deep communal humility and gratitude they teach. And so, at everyday gandhis, perhaps the best measure of success is to ask how our work has changed us, and how we have changed each other for the better because of our experiences. The Liberian healing journey has
mountain view oakland, photo by amy teal
Screenings of The Fight to Forgive by lasana kanneh
A
n everyday gandhis film, THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE, that to do the same. Healing is listening, healing is considering, healing is profiles the healing of five former child soldiers, including storytelling and healing is forgiveness. myself, who were either forced to fight in the second Liberian brutal civil war of 1999 to 2003 or to flee the country and seek ref- The day following the premiere, we traveled to Los Angeles and preuge in neighboring Guinea. everyday gandhis hosted three screenings sented the second screening on June 5th in Malibu, California. We got of the newly released film during the months of May and June, 2013. to meet another incredible, small group of people from other non-profThe premiere was held on May 31st in San Francisco at the Delancey it organizations and private institutions. Similar to our first audience, Street Theatre, and was fruitfully prepared. The event brought together approximately eighty [Globally it is estimated that over 250,000 child soldiers are fighting people from different ethnic around the world today. Liberia, my home country, is reported to have backgrounds, including Japanese, African Americans, and Chinese, 25,000 child soldiers since its brutal fourteen years of civil war, lasting among others. For me, dually em- from 1989 to 2003. A power struggle between rebel factions led the counbodying both audience member try into political and economic instability. It’s awful and heartbreaking for and one of the youths featured one to become a child soldier. It is just another custom of life that children in the film, I acknowledged how under the age of eighteen were forced to fight or experience war at that challenging it has been to come time. We carried weapons on our shoulders and were forced to kill, and we this far and that the challenges still continue. However, what ourselves suffered great anguish as child soldiers.] matters most to me is my compassion for peace and my resilience to face challenges and tell my story – straight from the heart. We all silently witnessed the documentary, but I was amazed that one could easily understand the Liberian simple English, especially those whose first language was one other than English. At the film’s end, people were immensely inspired by the stories. Among the six young men whose stories were told in the documentary, two of us were present at the premiere, Varlee M. Sheriff who is profiled as a refugee and me, one of the five former child soldiers. Varlee is currently an international undergraduate student, majoring in Computer Science at Foothill College in California. I am also an international undergraduate student, studying Journalism with a concentration in Multimedia News (Multimedia Storytelling) at Kent State University in Ohio. Our colleagues are in Liberia. Two of them are anticipating attending college, while the other two are expected to graduate from high school. As part of our scholarship obligation and commitment to community peacebuilding, our colleagues are still conducting community service among other young men and women in Liberia, through soccer games for peace, photography, healthy relationship workshops for peers, and Permaculture education for sustainable living practices. At the screening in San Francisco, Varlee and I, alongside our beloved sponsor and American mom, film director, Cynthia Travis, stood up for a Q and A session. It was truly remarkable for us and we felt confident about sharing in the audience reaction to the film. I could tell that each and every attendee was touched and motivated. Many of the audience members responded with sentiments such as, “You six young men are astonishing people and braved the experience of those terrible stories and have come to be healed through sharing stories that will, in turn, heal us all.” Our hope is that we serve as examples of triumph over trauma, and provide people with the encouragement and tools
4 • everyday gandhis • fall 2013
they were very impressed by the film. Joined by Cynthia Travis and one of my Liberian Uncles, Bill Saa (who has worked with everyday gandhis over the years), I once again had the privilege of standing up for a Q and A after the film. All went very well during that beautiful day. To bring the tour to a close, we had our third screening at Santa Barbara City College on June 7, through the collective effort of other organizations, such as the Universal Peace Organization. The gathering was much larger than the group during the second screening; moreover, it was very exciting to meet with different people as well as recognize faces I had met before, back in Liberia, through everyday gandhis. Everyone was encouraged by THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE to continue the powerful conversations started at the screenings and share them amongst their communities. It’s an 82-minute documentary with lessons that last much longer. By some means, I would love for the film to be screened at Kent State University campus, where I am currently studying. I would be proud to share the film’s content with my peers. It is truly educational for one to know and understand how child soldiers have suffered from wars, especially in Africa, and how my colleagues (fellow Future Guardians of Peace) and I, personally, have come out to tell our story of these challenges and, most importantly, our healing process through forgiving and being forgiven – from Child Soldiers to Peacebuilder. It is dreadful to find out that many people at my university, and in the U.S. in general, are not aware of what had gone wrong in Liberia during those years. Many, I have come to find, don’t even know where Liberia is. I don’t mention this as a form of degradation, but as a means of inspiring people to learn and find the growth of self that comes from knowing. Lassana Kanneh is a Future Guardian of Peace with everyday gandhis and a student at Kent State University in Ohio.
An Unexpected Reaction by sarah hartmann
I attended the San Francisco premiere of everyday gandhis’ most recent film, THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE: From Child Soldiers to Peacebuilders. I entered the screening room in anticipation of a harrowing story of exploited youth, as with all previous films I’d seen purposed around the subject of child soldiering. I was surprised to leave that evening accompanied by an unexpected feeling of hope.
tactics of survival and resilience within these conditions, shape us on an individual and collective level. Most of the time, we become fixed on patterns which provide us with a sense of self, a way of interacting with others, a certain view of the world, and habitual actions or non-actions. Tragically, the traumas of violence, war, and oppression have shaped so many of our individual and collective ways of being in the world. Without being familiarized with, or reminded of our inherent mechanisms of healing, nor provided an environment conducive to that sort of work, we will continue on in a cyclical pattern coerced by remnant and centrifugal feelings of pain.
These shapes, or embodied ways of being, while rooted within us somatically (on all levels of our being), can be dismantled and re-formed to create new embodireception before the sf screening of the fight to forgive, photo by jesse smith ments. This capacity to transform This particular film was unique and refreshing, as that expected feeling is the essence of resilience. Generative Somatics, a social justice approach of hollowing helplessness was overwhelmed by a profound inspiration. to somatics, tells us that resilience is the ability to survive, deepen, heal, The film exposed our innate, human ability to heal and transcend the move forward and renew ourselves after devastating experiences. horrendous weight of trauma. It was less about the compromises made against humanity and more about our capacity to overcome them. There are many factors that contribute to resilience. Some include connecting with nature and animals, art, music, creativity, spirituality The young men featured in the film shared stories of pain, violence, (not necessarily religion), helping others, staying connected to others and suffering concurrent with those of healing, transformation, and a instead of practicing isolated behaviors, extracting greater meaning desire to be peacemakers in their communities and in the world. As I from tragedy and making a difference for others (Generative Somatics listened to these intimate disclosures, a question I’ve often pondered website, http://www.generativesomatics.org). arose once more: how is it possible for humans to, not only survive such atrocities as these young men, but to be able to emerge from those The Future Guardians of Peace are beautiful embodiments of resilatrocities as messengers of forgiveness and peace? ience. In the film, we learn how the very factors of resilience listed above were utilized during their process of healing and transformation. As a student of Somatic PsycholFor me, the most poignant factors are those of extracting greater meanogy, I am intrigued by the way in ing from tragedy and making a difference for others. Surviving trauma which our experiences give shape allows for the possibility of creating new ways of being in the world to our bodies, emotions, and our and transmuting deep wounds into profound healing on an individual overall way of being in the world. and collective level. The wound then becomes the remedy. The young Somatic, by the very definition men featured in the film exemplify this approach, with their dedication of the word, relates to the physito peacebuilding becoming more resolute as they learn to find common cal body. However, I have come denominations between themselves and every entity upon which they to understand the concept of bestow benefaction. Existing within the disparity between their past somatic as relating to humans in traumas and the men they have become today, is a story with astonisha more holistic sense - not disasingly potent remedial properties and the capacity to provoke healing sociating body from mind and on a universal level. spirit. All aspects of the human are integrally connected within Sarah Hartmann is everyday gandhis’ San Francisco Bay Area Outreach a larger context. Historical and Coordinator. social conditions, as well as our sarah hartmann
everyday gandhis • fall 2013 • 5
From the Perspective of the Audience by varlee sheriff
THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE documentary film premiere in San Francisco was an incredible experience for me in so many ways. I got to reunite with the everyday gandhis family - the family that has dedicated so much to grassroots peacebuilding in post-war Liberia. After two months of college here in the U.S., meeting and sharing my experiences with this family was an amazing moment. I was thrilled to see how people were touched by our story. There were many people in the audience weeping as they watched, in amazement, at how we have grown despite our traumatic pasts. The question and answer section turned emotional for many as they braved to ask their questions while fighting back tears. Nearly everyone hugged us on their way out of the theater and shared expressions of excitement and feelings of change. This was a true feeling of connection and was one of those moments that keep us strong in our journey - knowing that people care for us. I have seen the movie several times, but seeing it on a feature screen and with an audience was a first, and a very different experience. Before this, I would continuously laugh as I viewed the movie and found humor in witnessing how much I have grown, both physically and emotionally. During such a viewing, I did not consider the details of the hardships, as I spent more time focusing on the big picture. But watching it on the big screen this time around and being surrounded by people who didn’t know our stories, I paid attention to the details. I realized how foreign it might seem to them as references were being made to our experiences, or, what seemed like, ‘past lives’. It’s unbelievable to see the transformation in our growth. I sat there watching the movie and asked myself, “How is this transformation possible? How and what has driven Lassana, Akoi, and everyone in search of healing and forgiveness, and to be able to courageously say, ‘I don’t hold anyone responsible for this! I have done the act and I take responsibility for it. All I ask is for the world to forgive me. This will be very positive for me.’” And I could almost hear the audience asking, “Why shouldn’t the world forgive this man? When, why, and how should we forgive ourselves and others?” I, myself, wander with these questions daily and hope that, in the midst of the many challenges of the world, we can take time to consider all of the different ways, big and small, that we can contribute to the world we wish to see and live in.
varlee and lassana at the san francisco film premiere of t.f.t.f.
Varlee Sheriff is a Future Guardian of Peace with everyday gandhis and a student at Foothill College in California.
dwayne newton, lassana, varlee & jesse smith at sf film premiere
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everyday gandhis documentary films
"The Fight to Forgive" is a child taking you by the hand, and with a gentle voice guiding you through an astonishing and vivid journey through the inferno of the Liberian Civil War, a war that consumed not only a nation but its children. The journey with these extraordinary former child soldiers takes you down the difficult and painful path of their horrific experiences and memory. Mercifully, the path leads to their struggle for peace, compassion and forgiveness, for themselves and for those who forcefully lead them into the flames. I was struck by the resilience and strength of these "Future Guardians of Peace," who've successfully put down the weapons of war and are now wielding the tools of peace. It's a journey you won't forget.” -Dwayne Newton Audience member at the San Francisco premiere screening
THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE FROM CHILD SOLDIERS TO PEACEBUILDERS GRASSROOTS SCREENING CAMPAIGN Host a “House-Party” Screening The stories of the six young men featured in the film hold an immense power to educate, inspire, and transform. Our goal in the grassroots screening campaign is to use these stories to help awaken the peacebuilding impulses and lessons that rest in the facets of everyday life. With your help, we are carrying the peacebuilding conversation—a conversation that started in rural Liberia in 2005—into your community and communities across the globe. THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE offers viewers an intimate lens to explore themes of forgiveness and healing. As we watch Akoi, Ezekiel, Lassana, Mohammed, Morris, and Varlee emerge from their isolation and trauma as ex-combatants and claim a new peacemaker identity, we learn a central lesson of peacebuilding: healing takes hard work and is deeply empowered by an open group exchange of thoughts and feelings. In this spirit, the “house-party” concept shares the same values as the success stories documented in the film. Small group discussion and deeply personal encounters lay the groundwork for individual introspection and community transformation. We will provide you with all of the necessary supplies (including a complementary copy of the film) to create an inspiring and deeply transformative evening for you and your community. For more information on hosting a screening, please contact: Amy at amy@everydaygandhis.org or Sarah at sarah@everydaygandhis.org ana brush and amy teal at the san francisco film premiere of t.f.t.f.
everyday gandhis • fall 2013 • 7
Second Peace Game in Monrovia by ezekiel mavolo
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onrovia based Future Guardians of Peace hosted another peace tournament on Sunday, May 26, 2013 on the George Weah sports field in Paynesville City, Red Light community. The game planning process began as soon as the first peace game ended in April. Sports have the ability to attract youth, and give us a fun and entertaining way of coming together to address common issues and ideals amongst our communities, such as teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS prevention, conflict/resolution, and sustainable peacebuilding initiatives. This time around, we wanted to take extra caution in making sure participants (both players and spectators) understood the intent behind organizing these tournaments: creating a culture of sustainable peacebuilding and raising awareness of risks afflicting the youth within our communities. Even though official letters were
Guardian of Peace to oversee a team and explain the purpose of the games. I oversaw S.E. Kickball Club, Morris S. Kamara assisted Angel of the Ring, Akoi Mawolo was assigned to Action Girls, and everyone collectively coordinated Angel FC, as they were our upcoming team. Discussions took place at our regular Saturday meetings on how to address each team and what role each individual was to play in preparation for the games. We met several times before the tournament was hosted so that all corrections were made in accord with the advice given by our mentor, James Makor (Director of the environmental organization, SAMFU (Save My Future Foundation)). These meetings are an important part of our grassroots peacebuilding. We spend a lot of time interacting with community members and understanding what
all-girls kickball team, photo by ezekiel mavolo
written to the four teams (Angel FC, Action Girls FC, S.E Kickball Club and Angel of the Ring) stating the reasons for which the games were to be played, we found that a special emphasis on our intention would serve as a benevolent reminder. To ensure that this message of peacebuilding was dispersed and understood, we assigned each Future
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issues are prevalent and in need of addressing. Come the meeting on Saturday, we are able to contemplate how to implement a project to approach the concerns. Among the many decisions we had to make in regards to the upcoming peace games, we agreed on purchasing a ball for each team, in hopes that the ball would help keep them together and
encourage them to continue practicing together. We understood that a ball is the primary thing a team would need to start practice. Other things were bought for the game such as soft drinks, bread (prepared with sardines, mayonnaise, onion and surcease) and water. We usually have these materials available at all of the games, because in Liberia people feel highly recognized and respected when refreshments are offered during or after a gathering. This is a tradition passed down from our forefathers, and it is culturally understood that eating together is an important symbol of togetherness and unity.
girls to look after themselves so that they may have a baby by choice and not by chance. I listed some of the many factors of unwanted pregnancy, including peer pressure, rape, substance abuse, and poverty, and how having a baby when you aren’t ready is not a means of improving your life situation. I advised the use of condoms for girls and boys who are already, or intended to become, sexually active, and for the boys to take extra care in using them. I ended my speech by saying, “Go on girls and boys, and make new friends! The day is yours!” Everyone moved to stand around the field in a circle as the game commenced. The field began to get crowded as coaches were talking to their players on the importance of working together as a team in being victorious. However, we realized that nature wasn’t going to allow for much time, as rain began to pour down. Angel FC, from Wealth Town Community, and Angel of the Ring FC, from Parker Paint (Wood Camp), competed in the opening match. Angel FC was victorious, with seven points over their opponent, giving them the chance to play in the final. The second match began with S.E Kickball Club, from Du-port road Community, and Action Girls, from Wealth Town Community. Action Girls was victorious, with six points over S.E Kickball Club, giving them the chance to meet Angel FC in the final game.
teams lining up before game commencement, photo by ezekiel mavolo
The Future Guardians of Peace in Monrovia have added girls’ kickball clubs to the tournaments. We saw that adding a girls’ kickball league would help to spread the message we have for our fellow Liberians, by encouraging more females to participate. Kickball is an important game in Liberia and Sierra Leone that closely resembles baseball; but instead of hitting a hard ball with a bat, you kick a large, soft ball. This addition to our program inspired pride amongst the girls in our community (many of whom are also ex-combatants) and a feeling of belonging. As the program time approached, Future Guardians of Peace members drove onto the field to get things in place before the teams arrived. We also went early to meet with the caretaker of the field, Sis Musu, to remind her of the coming tournament. We set up the PA system for the DJ to play music as the teams arrived. Music attracts the minds, and lifts the spirits of many people, but I think especially those of the youth. About thirty minutes after the setup, teams were arriving in red, blue and yellow Jerseys from all different directions. Spectators were beginning to gather as well. Being mindful of the time, and while waiting for the introduction from the tournament’s organizer, we immediately met with coaches and requested that they line up the players and ask the spectators to stand in the background. As the designated spokesperson, I explained to the players and spectators that the tournament was for the sake of lasting peace and that there would be no room for violence or conflict of any kind. I concluded by stating, “Our presence here today, both players and bystanders, represents an effort toward promoting friendly relationships amongst our communities and our behavior should exemplify this aim.” The conflict is generally instigated by issues of ethnicity, tribalism, and bullying. This is why we invest a significant amount of time raising awareness about these culprits before the games begin. I also elaborated on a topic chosen during one of our Saturday meetings - that of teenage pregnancy prevention. This topic was chosen because we were dealing with all-girl kickball teams. I encouraged young
Time was given to the winner of the second game, Action Girls, to rest before the finals. By then, the entire field was completely crowded with spectators. The two winners, Action Girls and Angel FC, got ready for the final match in their red and yellow jerseys. Both Teams had good players and good teamwork, making it difficult for either team to score a point. The result of the even match was a tie of nine to nine. It was a perfect outcome, and we consider both teams to be the victors of the tournament.
future guardians of peace intoroducing the games
Immediately following the game, coaches and captains we called upon to receive their prizes of brand new soccer balls. Mulbah Richards presented the prizes, while the Future Guardians of Peace began serving soft drinks, bread and water to the teams. People were dancing, while coaches discussed and exchanged contact information for possible practice matches. This, to me, is a sign of working together, building connections, and making relationships stronger. In the end, the S.E Kickball Club coach requested us to host a tournament in the Du-port road Community, where they are based. We will update you on this tournament and more in the next newsletter! Ezekiel Mavolo is a Future Guardian of Peace with everyday gandhis and a sponsored student at Rick’s Institute.
everyday gandhis • fall 2013 • 9
Erosion of Our Coastline by weedor m. kumi
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n July 13-14, 2013, I completed a two-day environmental trip. I was accompanied by the Future Guardians of Peace, Mulbah Richards - one of everyday gandhis’ Liberia staff, and Uncle James Makor - an environmentalist who works with Save My Future Foundation (SAMFU). SAMFU is an NGO founded in 1987 by a Liberian Catholic Priest and two young conservationists. The organization works to protect Liberia’s natural resources and to reserve them for the enhancement of national peace and development. James Makor is one of the specialists with SAMFU who works to secure the management of Liberia’s natural resources and environment. Our trip took place in a city called Buchanan. Buchanan is the third largest city in Liberia and faces the Atlantic Ocean. It is referred to as “Gbezohn” in the local Bassa language (one of the sixteen native languages in Liberia). Buchanan was named after Liberia’s first governor, Thomas Buchanan (a relative to the 15th President of the United States, James Buchanan, Jr). The city is the capital of Grand Bassa County, which is an hour and half drive from Liberia’s capital, Monrovia. Because of its geographical position, Buchanan’s most important industry is fishing. The purpose of our trip was to continue our studies on environmental degradation. Our first stop in Buchanan was Atlantic Street (where we visited last year). This is a place where beach erosion has caused significant amounts of damage over the years. Buildings I had seen during our first trip in 2012 had been completely swept away. We met with an engineer, Olive B. Kulah, who explained that persistent erosion is caused by climate change. He informed us of the upcoming project to help prevent erosion throughout Liberia - a cooperative effort by the Liberian government and international partners, including The United Nations, the Coastal Project and the Globe Environment Facility. The project will be monitored by the Liberian government through the Ministry of Land, Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Public Works. One method to stop beach erosion is the gabion bag, made of thick manufactured plastic and filled with compacted sand and rocks, which are positioned around the coastline. However, this method has recently been replaced by the T-Groins system, which the government of Liberia plans to install and initiate in places experiencing beach erosion. T-Groins are giant sea walls resembling the shape of the letter ‘T’ and are intended to interrupt water flow and protect the land. Mr. Kulah showed us the Light House, designed to aid sea navigation, which had been demolished by erosion. He explained that the government is planning to build a T-Groin to jut out into the sea from Preston Street in Buchanan, which will protect from any more incidences of building deterioration. They are expected to carry out an assessment of the ‘Twall’ in neighboring Ghana, West Africa during the rainy season. The entire project is expected to cost almost nine million USD. We moved on to another nearby fishing community called Balawulah, also located in the Buchanan area. This community was partially washed away by erosion some weeks back. We also stopped at the Chinese River Sand Mining Company near the “Yellow house” community to investigate the effects of offshore mining on marine life. All repre-
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sentatives denied that their mining equipment, placed directly into the water, was causing any harm to fish and other marine life. To finalize our tour, we moved to the Hotel Africa Community in Monrovia, where beach erosion has been an ongoing incident for decades. Here, people use the beach as a landfill and are constantly mining sand. Later that day, we drove to another important site to observe the government protected Mangrove trees. These trees are vital to organisms that reside in water, because they act as purifying agents ridding the water of pollutants. They also help stabilize the sediment with their tangled root systems, serving as a natural impediment to erosion. Moreover, the plans being implemented by the cooperative efforts of the Liberian government and its international partners will make big steps in protecting Liberia from the destructive effects of an eroding coastline. However, Liberian citizens must do their part as well. Keeping offshore mining to an absolute minimum and enforcing more efficient methods of waste management will absolutely help control the deterioration of our land. Let us be aware of the problems that we play a role in instigating. Even though our government isn’t actively involved in educating the general public on these issues, those of us who have had the opportunity to become aware should share the knowledge with fellow Liberians. Liberia is what we have and if we don’t stop harming its land, we will lose much of it in the not so distant future. Environmental degradation, including deforestation and the mismanagement of waste, is a danger to Liberia. However, as a young female, I hope to constantly learn and help educate others in Liberia to better protect and develop our country so that we may extend the longevity of our land. I am indeed grateful to have learned about the issues surrounding environmental degradation, in the company of my colleagues and with James Makor, an amazing environmentalist. Thanks everyday gandhis for another enriching opportunity. Weedor M. Kumi is an everyday gandhis scholarship recipient and student at Rick’s Institute.
lassana, ana, jesse & varlee celebrating varlee's birthday
A Year of Blessings by varlee sheriff
I hope all of you readers, friends, and supporters of everyday gandhis, are doing wonderfully well — relaxing and preparing for the rapidly encroaching upcoming year. I would like to commemorate all of my friends and family on their accomplishments of 2013, and spend a moment of reflection as I debrief some of the memorable moments. In respect to the peace game reports and discussions around town, I would like to extend a special thank you to my brothers Akoi, Ezekiel, Big Boy (Uncle Mulbah Richards), and all of those who were involved, for keeping up with our mission and spreading the message of peace. Mr. Kamara, Big Boy, Ezekiel, Esther and everyone — how wonderful to start the cross-border peace initiative! If I may recall, this has been everyday gandhis' top priority. I would like to recognize Lassana for all of the wonders he continues to achieve at Kent State Universty: maintaining a 3.00 GPA, publishing a website of his own, and becoming a news correspondent and appointed photographer for the Kent State Newspaper. How inspiring! I am very glad that you are able to do that and share your stories with the world. And please, let's continue to do what we are able to do, as long as it serves us good. Bravo everyone!
Day on the Hill is a yearly event that hosts parents, administrators and high school students on Foothill campus, aimed at providing necessary information about the school and encouraging students to attend. Foothill International Night is the social integration of international students (students attending Foothill from all over the world, including China, Korea, Japan, France, Britain, Germany, Russia, Sweden, and just about every other part of the globe). There was a banquet followed by a talent show with singing, dancing and general performance. The event ended with a fashion show representing costumes from the many different cultures present. As you may have learned, we had the premier of THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE in San Francisco on May 31st. This was another great time for me. Again, I got to see Ma Cyndie, Ana, Amy, Jesse, and Lassana. Also, I was chanced to meet with Elenna (she visited Voinjama in February 2007 and was the most active among the group during that visit). After two months of learning to live within all of the complexity of American life, meeting and sharing my experiences with these wonderful people was just amazing. Academically, I believe I have been doing well. I completed my first quarter in good standing, with an overall GPA of 3.56. Not opting to rest, I took summer courses. This was intensive, as the normal 12 weeks within a quarter is halved into 6 weeks. Thus, I had the same workload and only half the time to complete it all. However, I enjoyed the lessons and made it through with good marks. My sincere gratitude to Ma Cyndie and everyday gandhis for affording us a chance to make our mark - to do what most wouldn't have done had they experienced what we've been through. The same goes out to each of us for growing from the sorrow, pain, anger, grief, depression, and everything that has, in the past, held us down, and for working so hard to maintain the opportunity offered us. Here’s to all of us for saying to ourselves, "I did it, I changed [so that others] can."
lassana, ana, jesse & varlee celebrating varlee's birthday
As for my personal activities, I have been doing well. I cannot chronicle all of my experiences here in California; yet all of my times with Ma Cyndie, from my birthday celebration to all of the times spent in Mendocino, times with Ulli and Lassana and our lovely Grand Ma, visiting Mama Deena's house at Topanga, times with Ana, Jesse and Amy, the screening at Santa Barbara City College, and everything else has been so memorable. I'm very grateful to everyone for all of the efforts that yielded this opportunity. Upon first starting school here this spring, it was kind of a challenge (knowing how it can be when things are strange and you have to sort it all out alone). Gradually, though, I learned to navigate through locations and schedules, and am now much more comfortable. I participated in two great events on the Foothill College campus: Day on the Hill and the International Night. On these occasions, I served food and drinks, offered campus tours, and helped clean up after the events. The
Shalom shanti Varlee Sheriff is a Future Guardian of Peace with everyday gandhis and a student at Foothill College in California.
varlee at santa monica beach
varlee & ulli bonnekamp
everyday gandhis • fall 2013 • 11
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