issue XV • SPRING 2014
Let the Story of Peace Be Told by cynthia travis
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tarting in the mid-1400’s, millions of West Africans were sold into slavery and sent to the United States and elsewhere. The economic prosperity of Europe, England and the United States was literally built on the backs of African slaves who were torn from their ancestral homelands as well as on the resources that were torn from the land, including diamonds, gold and oil. One of the ways people survive that kind of trauma is that they mistakenly believe they can gain power by behaving like the people who mistreated them. In 1824, freed slaves from America were sent back to Africa to colonize what is now Liberia. They took the best land, installed themselves as the ruling class, and brutalized the indigenous people. In 1989, multiple generations of trauma erupted in a civil war that lasted almost 15 years.
In Africa, as in many other parts of the world, international corporations are now the new colonizers. They care little about the earth and less about the traditional people who know how to live in harmony with each other and the land. It serves their interests to have local people continuously fighting amongst themselves because it keeps them divided. However, when the people unite for peace and environmental restoration, those corporations and governments must stop and listen. People can create peace for themselves when they decide to work together.
We at everyday gandhis have a particular respect for traditional culture because we see its power to unite people in a communal, nature-based identity that is deeply nourishing because it includes the community of humans, nature and the ancestors. With this understanding, we can see that healing moves in multiple directions and through multiple realms. We have so many stories and experiences of inexplicable synchronicities with dreams and the appearance of animals and birds where our peacebuilding work is taking place.
As you will see in this newsletter, Kamara and the Future Guardians of Peace have begun working with villages in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone to create Mobile Peace Teams comprised of ex-combatants, women, traditional elders, religious leaders, and local government officials. They are all working together to keep the peace along the borders of those three countries, and are doing this themselves by coming together.
At everyday gandhis, we are a mixed group of Liberians, Americans, black, white, traditional people, Muslims, Christians, and Jews. We work in very unconventional ways: We listen to the people in small, far-off villages; we One of the biggest casualties listen to each other; we listen of war in a place like Liberia to the land and the trees and is that Western culture, with the animals and the water; its focus on material wealth, we listen to the spirits; we sit supplants the richness of together and tell dreams; we traditional community life, honor the ancestors; we do and destroys the relationship traditional ceremonies, and we between elders and youth. go to churches and mosques Most people who have been to pray together. By talking through war become severely and listening in these ways, disconnected from the natural we know what is needed and world. Long after the shooting peace celebration in the village of samodu, photo by andre lambertson what to do. Recently we have stops, nature continues to sufshifted our time frame to confer from human heedlessness. And, as we are seeing in Congo, Liberia sider the effects of our actions 100 years or more into the future. Our and so many other places, trauma and the loss of an earth-based iden- goal is to seed a culture of peace that will outlast ourselves and our tity are often expressed through violence towards women and nature. projects and sustain future generations of peacebuilders.
Continued on page 3…
The Palaver Hut • Issue xV • SPRING 2014
Table of Contents
1 Let the Story Be Told 2 In This Issue 4 Kamara’s Field Report 6 Peacebuilding Workshop in Foya Peers With Open Ears 8 10 Mendocino Screening 11 A Conversation With Morris of Cuttington University on 11 Impact the Surrounding Community by cynthia travis by amy teal
by lasana kamara – prelude by c.t. by ezekiel mavolo
by lassana kanneh by varlee sheriff
by morris kamara
by ezekiel mavolo
IN THIS ISSUE This year everyday gandhis celebrates a decade of peacebuilding work in Liberia! This milestone leaves us replete with gratitude and honor as we reflect on the individuals and communities who have taken part in our mission. Our efforts are carried by the simultaneous and interchangeable role of contributor and beneficiary. This relationship ensures we are all nourished by the reciprocity of the healing process. As grassroots peacebuilders we deem ourselves exempt from the finite clutch of statistical substantiation, and instead, validate our decade of work through collaborative dialogue amongst everyday gandhis’ constituents and those with whom we coalesce. It is the conversation that links us, that moves us, and that rallies us into action. As long as that stays alive, so shall the foundation of everyday gandhis. This year, as with the last ten, we shall inspire conversation. With this focus, we are creating new, dynamic ways to incite interaction and cohere our network of peacebuilders. We are unveiling a refurbished website which hosts new, interactive elements, including an open forum. We encourage you to check it out at www.everydaygandhis.org, along with our new blog, Borders & Edges, which will serve as a platform to promote all topics related to peacebuilding. You can access the blog via the eg website, or directly by visiting : www.borders-and-edges.blogspot.com/ As the conversation perseveres, so do its physical demonstrations. The Mobile Peace Teams in Liberia continue moving across borders bringing reconciliation to war-traumatized communities. In the following pages, our Liberian Field Coordinator, Lasana Kamara, will update you on these initiatives. On the U.S. front, THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE: From Child Soldiers to Peacebuilders had one of its most powerful screenings in Mendocino, California this January. Future Guardian of Peace, Varlee Sheriff, has written to share his tender account of the evening. Lassana Kanneh, Future Guardian of Peace and student at Kent State University, is employing his peacebuilding expertise on his university campus. He is proud to announce the launch of his student-run club entitled Peers With Open Ears. All of these updates and more within this Spring 2014 issue of The Palaver Hut. In closing, we would like to commemorate all of the everyday gandhis supporters who have nourished our last decade with your love, devotion, and passion. In a world so often swayed by tainted motives and sullied consciousness, thank you for your discerning mind, clear heart, and ruthless determination. The integrity necessary to thwart the threats made against our humanity is a distinct quality upheld by all of you: the everyday gandhis, the defenders of harmony, the hopefuls. With sincere gratitude and respect, we entrust you with the next decade of our work.
scholarship students, photo by benedict knuckles
Amy Teal is the everyday gandhis' Media Coordinator.
…continued from cover. We of everyday gandhis in the U.S. do not consider ourselves to be 'experts' in any way. Quite the contrary: As Westerners we dare not claim to know how to live in balance with nature or other people. Those of us in the U.S. are learning, healing – and in need of healing - as much as, or more than, our Liberian friends. And, like the Liberians, each of us has a circle of family, friends and colleagues who are drawn by our stories and experiences - and their own - into the rigorous process of holding ourselves accountable for carrying the work of peace into our daily lives. We have all suffered and we have all caused suffering. It is up to us to make peace and to find ways to live together. It is up to us to teach our children to respect themselves and others. It is up to us to remember that we depend on this precious earth to survive and that we depend on each other to make life beautiful. It is up to us to show the world that peace is possible, no matter what. It’s the everyday people like us
that are the world’s true peacebuilders – not the armies, not the diplomats, not the treaty-signers but we ourselves who have the true power to create lasting peace - and with that power comes the responsibility to make peace a reality. Let the story be told for 1,000 years of how the people of Liberia refused to be divided! Let the story be told for 1,000 years of how the Americans working with Liberian peacebuilders learned the ways of true community once again! Let the story be told of how we have reunited with each other and with the natural world to make life possible for many generations to come. Let us live the story of harmony that flows like cool water and of tall trees that make a shady place to sit and enjoy the delicious fruits of peace. Cynthia Travis is the Founder and President of everyday gandhis.
women of kuluka welcome the eg team, photo by andre lambertson
everyday gandhis • spring 2014 • 3
Kamara's Field Report - Beyan Town by lasana kamara – prelude by cynthia travis Beyan Town is actually a cluster of villages on the bank of the St. Paul River located along the road from Monrovia to Voinjama. During the war, it was the site of many terrible battles, and the river was often swollen with dead bodies hastily disposed of. This desecration of the water has long been a concern of ours at eg and over the years we have worked with many communities to make offerings and ceremonies to cleanse and re-sanctify water and land sullied by bloodshed. Beyan Town is also the place where a particular child soldier was killed as a human sacrifice, and buried in a shallow grave by the roadside. (Those of you who have seen our documentary film, The Fight to Forgive: From Child Soldiers to Peacebuilders, will remember the scene describing the terrible killing of the child known only by his fighting name, ‘Kill the Woman’ and the beginning of our efforts to honor that child while finding compassion and forgiveness for those responsible for his death.) In recent months, eg staff and the Future Guardians of Peace have been visiting Beyan Town in order to discuss with the community how this child’s remains could be given a proper burial. Under the skillful leadership of Kamara and the FGP, we are now engaged in a deep and ongoing conversation with Beyan Town’s elders, women, ex-combatant youth and with the community at large about the reburial process. We are exploring the local understanding of what is needed for Beyan Town to be peaceful and self-sustaining. Elders and landowners in the area have held several community councils, conducted neces-
sary ceremonies and have made appropriate offerings in preparation for exhuming the boy’s remains. We will wait to complete the process until we find the child’s family, especially his mother. One surprising and lovely outgrowth of this process is that Beyan Town’s ex-combatant youth have become enchanted with their traditional culture. One of the most devastating casualties of the war was the loss of connection with traditional knowledge and practices, resulting in a loss of identity for post-war youth. This has also been a source of deep sadness and despair for the elders. The Beyan Town youth were astonished that they knew so little about their own beautiful traditional ways and have asked to learn more. The eg Culture Troupe was these young people’s first experience with traditional drumming, dancing and music! A self-selected group of ex-combatant youth, both men and women, have begun studying with eg’s Culture Troupe trainers, Orando Sokar and Ceyeazea Kollie. Last week, the first handmade drums made by Orando and Ceyeazea were delivered to Beyan Town and the training began in earnest, along with Permaculture training. The unexpected benefit is that this is bringing the disenfranchised, alienated youth and the elders back together, and the youth are learning skills to be able to enhance food security for themselves and the whole town. Cynthia Travis is the Founder and President of everyday gandhis.
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ultural and Permaculture training was held in Beyan Town Community from January 9th through the 14th. The everyday gandhis culture troupe along with staff arrived in Beyan Town on January 8th. Upon our arrival, we were happily welcomed by the elders, women’s groups and ex-combatants. The town chief mandated the town crier to announce our arrival as well as the plans for a welcoming ceremony. The town chief, in accordance with tradition, presented ten white kola nuts as an acceptance of strangers with a clear heart and led a powerful prayer for our safe arrival. Most importantly and interestingly, the town chief extended thanks to Ma-Cynthia Travis and everyday gandhis for a positive response to their request and recommendation. It was the sound of true appreciation and was a great honor to everyday gandhis staff present at the ceremony as well as the organization as a whole. I followed the ceremony with a briefing of the anticipated activities that were to take place over the six-day procession.
sports conference room, photo by lasana kamara
The youth, especially females, showed more interest in the culture troupe training. The culture troupe training consisted of teaching traditional songs, and learning to play the sasa (traditional gourd rattles). The community turnout was very high, which provided children with the courage to focus and dedicate to the training. The intensive nature of the permaculture training proved more appealing to the adult, male demographic. The topics introduced were that of swale systems, mulching, the banana circle, and how to plant local varieties in the planting beds. Within the demonstration, we planted eddoe (similar to taro root), banana and bitter ball in the beds.
guinea border crossing point, photo by lasana kamara
4 • everyday gandhis • spring 2014
One day of clean up campaign was organized. The clean up was very fruitful and encouraged the youth to work together along with the rest
coulture troupe, photo by lasana kamara
of the community. The high level of participation was testament to the high spirits following the training. On January 31st, we made a follow-up to Guéckédou, Republic of Guinea, to meet with the kick-ball teams that participated in the Kolahun peace tournament in November of last year. The members of the Liberian team who made the journey included eg staff, myself, Joseph N. Ngazue, Roseline Swen, Adula Kamara, Susan Lormax, and Felix Bongonor. After arriving at the Guéckédou border, we had to cross the Makona River in a canoe over to Guinea. Upon our arrival in Guéckédou, we were highly received by our Guinean sporting friends. They took us to the Guéckédou sport pitch (field) where we met two organized teams from the community, and some government officials who were present. I was given the honor of doing the kick-off for the game.
The eg Culture Troupe came into being during the early days of the FGP’s healing process, as a way of reconnecting them with traditional culture and as an experience in creating beauty and joy. The Culture Troupe plays a key role at all our local and crossborder Soccer Peace Games and Community Reconciliation Councils. In December, they even had a chance to perform for Liberia’s Vice President, Hon. Joseph Boakai! You can learn more and see stills of their performances on our newly re-designed web site, www.everydaygandhis.org. Please consider donating to help purchase badly needed dance costumes and traditional instruments – and help our Culture Troupe members with school fees and permaculture training as well. Before the war, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia used to have a shared respect and honor for African tradition. When traditional ceremonies, such as monist feasts (where offerings are made to connect with the spirits and special prayers are made) and sacrifices took place in any of the three countries, traditional delegates and elders used to travel cross border by way of foot to participate. During this meeting, we all agreed on the significance of our historical interrelation, and the great need for the three countries to be united once again.
The following day, we visited the sporting office in the town center for a meeting. These offices handle the affairs of the sporting activities in the Guéckédou Prefecture. Tamba Thomas, head of the Guinean Team, extended thanks and appreciation to Ma-Cynthia Travis and everyday gandhis for this social project that has created a great connection between the youth of Guinea and Liberia. He expressed how soccer games create a unified structure that promotes peace and unity amongst the youth, and stated his belief that through the games, we can sustain peace and stability. He reflected on the tournament in Kolahun as being “peaceful in their minds” and that they feel more connected to Liberian youth, women and local authorities.
After meaningful deliberation, we decided that a ‘council of peace’ should be established in the three countries. The council should consist of six people, two per country, and should function as a means to reintegrate our peoples as well as resuscitate our traditions. Through this faculty of council, we will be able to organize meetings (ensuring the participation of elders, youth and women) to discuss peace initiatives, organize more sporting activities between the three countries to ensure the ongoing connection between the youth, and easily share cross-border initiatives and ideas.
permaculture training site, photo by lasana kamara
permaculture site in beyan town, photo by lasana kamara
Lasana Kamara is the everyday gandhis’ Field Supervisor in Liberia.
everyday gandhis • spring 2014 • 5
Peacebuilding Workshop in Foya by ezekiel mavolo
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oya is located in Lofa County, Northwestern Liberia and is about four hundred kilometers from Monrovia. It is one of the few towns in Liberia that rests along the Sierra Leone and Guinea border. Foya endured many atrocities for which there has been little redress. Since the Future Guardians of Peace interventions, there has been no activity in this area. Considering this background information, as well as its close proximity to Voinjama (the home of FGP), we decided to organize and host a peacebuilding program on December 28, 2013 in Foya. The workshop was planned in a special way because we wanted to discuss issues in a traditional way so as to ensure the understanding and involvement of the people. We had extended an invitation to more traditional people, elders and youths than previous programs. With support and backing from traditionalists and elders, we felt the effects of the event would be more long-standing. In view of this, it was necessary and important to deviate a bit from Western Style PowerPoint Presentations and the like, and instead the entire discussion was done through the unaided voice in a council circle. The topics selected for discussion were: • Anger Management (conflict and violence) • Self-Esteem • HIV/AIDS • Teenage Pregnancy
The Foya Peace Workshop was one of the most exciting projects ever implemented by the FGP, and this was evident immediately. The arrival night was full of dancing at the town hall and a cultural show in the town square. Both happenings were packed with youth and elders. The everyday gandhis Culture Troupe performed at the town square and generated much interest in the audience. The performers were dressed in red and white with blue skirts composed of hundreds of free-hanging threads. Many eyes were glued to them as their waists moved swiftly and their feet were in accordance to the sound of the drum. They all carried a constant smile. One could really tell that the whole community was full of excitement with people on both sides of
culture troupe performance in beyan town, photo by akoi mawolo
6 • everyday gandhis • spring 2014
morris & the culture troupe on a break from the festivities, photo by akoi mawolo
the entertainment. All I could hear from the culture site was “Have! Have!” The youngest dancer among them puzzled the audience with skill and energy- it was as if she was taught to dance while still in her mother’s womb. The morning after the welcoming festivities, we had the opportunity to meet with the Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Hon. Joseph Boakai. This was an important meeting, as he was under the impression that everyday gandhis was no longer in Liberia. The everyday gandhis Culture Troupe held a small performance for the VP, which encouraged everyone to start dancing, including some of the delegates and dignitaries. Indeed, they were all impressed. VP Boakai shook hands with Mr. Kamara, giving him thanks and appreciation. Before he walked back to his car he said, “I thought everyday gandhis was no longer in Liberia, but now I know that you are still here.” He gave us a token with a smile on his face and waved as he departed. We quickly left and headed to the workshop venue where everyone was seated and awaiting us. The townspeople stood up and greeted us in Kissi (their native language) with smiles on their faces. Mr. Folomo introduced the team to the townspeople and a volunteer stood up to offer a prayer before the workshop commenced at 10am. There were interludes of performances, both dancing and drama, after every presentation. Mr. Folomo did all of the preparations, including arranging for an interpreter, Elija Taylor, who translated every single English word that was spoken. Morris started the workshop by discussing issues around anger management. It went very well and the participants were engaged. I was very much surprised by how many older folks were raising their hands to both ask and respond to questions. From the first topic, I observed that everyone had ideas on some of the issues that we were discussing, but often times they just needed us to elaborate our explanations. Things are changing as the world itself is changing, and for the traditional Kissi People, they are less concerned with keeping up in the modern world.
As the second presenter, Akoi briefly talked about self-esteem, emphasizing the importance of high self-esteem and believing in one’s self. Knowing oneself and trusting oneself provides a safeguard from fear and anger. It gives us the confidence to deal with issues in a rational manner as they arise. He gave some examples on how one comes to feel comfortable with themselves, one of which is learning to forgive and be forgiven for any past wrongdoings. Ezekiel spoke on the realities of HIV/AIDS. He informed the audience of the dangers of the virus as well as how to prevent transmitting it. Unprotected sexual activity is the most common way of spreading the infection, thus we shared the importance of using a condom. At the end of the presentation, cartons of condoms were made accessible to the audience, which turned out to be insufficient as everyone was eager to attain some. This made me think that there is a need to increase supply as well as accessibility to meet the demand. Ensuring that we remain gender balanced, Mahawa and Esther discussed teenage pregnancy, which turned into an incredibly interactive conversation. Many of the females who had not yet spoken were now voicing questions of concern. They addressed the consequences of raising a child when you are not ready, as well as how to take the necessary precautions in order to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Nobody wanted to conclude the discussions, because everyone had found interest in at least one of the topics. Some of the parents spoke up as well saying, “Our children these days are very secretive and many of them are materialistic and greedy for money. They feel they are mature and no longer need us, and therefore they do not listen to advice.” The children rebutted with, “Our parents force us into relationships because of poverty, and sometimes because of tradition.” It seemed we had created a platform to openly discuss the tensions that are arising
workshop discussions in foya. photo by akoi mawolo
within a culture that is trying to hold onto its traditions within a modernizing world. The discussions carried on even after concluding the workshop. The program ended with a friendly soccer match in the afternoon between two community teams, known as Junior and Senior. The match was well attended by people from all around the community. The Juniors narrowly defeated the Seniors by one goal. Everyone seemed fulfilled and happy after the end of the game, and on that note, the program came to a close. Ezekiel Mavolo is a Future Guardian of Peace with everyday gandhis and a student at Cuttington University
the road to foya, photo by akoi mawolo
everyday gandhis • spring 2014 • 7
Peers With Open Ears by lassana kanneh
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ent State University is an institution centered around excellence, discipline and community. Being one amongst thousands of high-achieving students has made me a happier person, encouraged my goals and nurtured my passion in unexpected ways. In September of 2013, myself and fellow student, Joseph Young established a small student group called Peers With Open Ears under the umbrella of CCI Commons community in Olson Hall, Kent State University. The group is comprised of twelve diverse student members from the College of Communication & Information. We serve to empower students and identify those individuals who have the potential to become future leaders. Through peer mediation, storytelling, critical thinking, reflective listening, forgiveness and an understanding of others, our group hopes to prepare each individual for making a positive impact on our world. We reach out to others with a goal of finding common ground amongst varying ethnicities, perspectives and backgrounds. We come together in a way of listening with the intention of resolving our inner dilemmas as well as the collective ones. We wish to forgive others who have victimized us and ask for forgiveness from those we’ve offended. With resilience and compassion, we promote an educational community that paves positive pathways through challenges and toward the possibility of a truly beautiful world. We meet together biweekly to discuss topics related to problem-solving, responsibility, the creation and maintenance of healthy relationships, and stress-management. Any issue that may arise for the individual, through open dialogue, becomes a part of our learning as a whole. This year, Peers With Open Ears intends to extend its reach beyond campus by providing aid to the homeless communities of Kent. With support from the Kent community and the positive feedback we’ve received from peers and CCI faculty, we feel encouraged to broaden our outreach.
standing what gifts we have to offer as individuals. I recommended to Joseph that our group begin very small and incorporate storytelling, reflective listening skills and forgiveness to form a solid foundation. He agreed, and so was founded Peers With Open Ears. When I began college at Kent State, the thought of forming a student group had crossed my mind, but I felt I wanted to merge with another student on campus who shared a similar enthusiasm and determination. Also, it took me a while to find my bearings in this country. Figuring out the customs was confusing: the food, the language, the weather, the policies and the people were all drastically different than those I’d been used to in Liberia. My focus for the first year was dedicated solely to figuring out how to function and succeed in this foreign context. Thus, almost two years later, I am delighted to have met my co-conspirator, Joseph, and to have established a student-group focused on problem solving. With the efforts and willingness from colleagues, we do believe Peers With Open Ears will become a highly revered and recognized student organization at Kent as well as one day play a role in solving global issues. We understand the enormity of the tasks that lie ahead, but stand determined before the challenge. Member responses to Peers With Open Ears: “I’m learning valuable conflict management skills, and the lessons we discuss are significant to everyone.” – Annie Roux, Member of PWOE “My hope for PWOE is to expand and involve more people from surrounding communities and, in doing so, help give the group true definition of community peacebuilding and give all involved a way to connect and open up. Growing up, I have faced a lot of unbelievable instances that caused me to build up a lot of emotion and feeling of uncertainty. This group has given me the chance to let those emotions out. I have also realized that help, care and love are everywhere. This
Joseph Young and I met last year and began conversing on the topic of unbiased journalism. Over a series of days and weeks the topic turned into an investigative discussion on the systems that govern us, such as politics, economics, and cultural stigmas. We began developing innovative solutions to improving their function so that one day they may serve us instead of work against us. As our reflections and insights deepened, so did our list of dreams we wanted to achieve in order to address these problems. Joseph mentioned his idea of establishing a student group to help motivate our peers into contributing to this crucial conversation. In listening to Joseph’s bigger idea and reflecting on the community peacebuilding work I had done in Liberia through everyday gandhis, I felt we had the insights, experience and passion to collaborate on forming such a group. We both understood the power of youth, men, and women engaging in discussion as well as the importance of under-
8 • everyday gandhis • spring 2014
peers with open ears meeting, photo by lassana kanneh
group gives a sense of security, in the way that you can count on each other to listen and speak out.” – Raeven Tidwell, Member of PWOE “Peers With Open Ears is a unique student group that helps bring students together with the common goal of expressing ourselves in a safe and free environment.” –Paula Caleb, Member of PWOE “I like meeting new people and connecting with their everyday experiences and stories that help inspire me in my life journey. PWOE shows that we are stronger than we think we are.” –Braylon Lee, Member of PWOE Despite being a leader among these very diverse young men and women, I also stand inspired by them and their incredible stories. Their words and companionship have given me the strength to continue enduring my own personal healing as well as help guide them on theirs. I am extremely touched by these peers who have welcomed and accepted my boyhood story. I encourage others to come together, share your stories in boldness and honesty, and conspire together in a dream of healed hearts. Lassana Kanneh is a Future Guardian of Peace with everyday gandhis and a student at Kent State University in Ohio.
peers with open ears, photo by lassana kanneh
peers with open ears student group, photo by ian nikolas klein
everyday gandhis • spring 2014 • 9
Mendocino Screening of THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE by varlee sheriff
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n an effort to promote grassroots peacebuilding, everyday gandhis has offered screenings of our most recent documentary film, THE FIGHT TO FORGIVE: From Child Soldiers to Peacebuilders, which features post-war life of myself (a war refugee) and five former child soldiers. The film has been screened in several cities, including its premiere in San Francisco, as well as Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Foothill College, and, most recently, Mendocino. I have been privileged to be able to attend three of these screenings and am glad to share the special experiences I had during the latest Mendocino Screening.
with which to ask their questions. This brought the room to a silent place. Some eventually found words and posed thoughtful questions that we did our best to fulfill with answers. At one point, I noticed a woman sitting in the front who was crying more than the rest. I can’t explain what it was that got into me, but I walked right up to her and embraced her. As I held her in my arms,
As usual, Ma-Cyndie, Lassana, and I arrived early to the venue. Pending the audiences’ arrival, we hurriedly supplied food and water and collaborated with the technician to ensure that everything was prepared. Just as with the other screenings, most people engaged with us in conversation upon their arrival, posing such questions as, “How long have you been here?" and "how do you like it?” The conversations continue deeper and in a direction that always proves meaningful. The film played as we all sat qui- varlee on stand up paddle board, photo by cynthia travis etly (except for a few moments when I, and sometimes Lassana, would laugh and reminisce on our there was this feeling that I’ve never felt before. It was a feeling of spirit, past lives as they flashed before us as consecutive photos and clips). of connection, of love for ourselves and others; a love for nature. It was The film was followed by a question and answer session, whereupon a magical and beautiful feeling for me. After a few minutes of embrace, Ma-Cyndie, Lassana and I became the panel. Similar to the San Fran- I let go of her. cisco Premiere, some people cried, while others tried to find the words Remarkably, as I let go of her, the woman ceased crying. I didn’t ask her, but what I saw after letting go was something different from how she had looked crying. This was one of the best moments of my life- her reaction of relief, of calm, and of letting go. It was quite touching. Each of these screenings has brought me strength. Whenever I leave the screenings, I leave feeling a little different. I leave feeling excited about the conversations to be had amongst people. I leave feeling hopeful. I feel hopeful that in spite of the many challenges, there’s hope. There are still people with the heart to forgive and be forgiven. I’m grateful to the circle that we held and to everyone that we’ve had at these events. I’m grateful to the spirits of everyone working to keep this ship – the ship of peacebuilding – at sail. I have hope that this film will be seen by many more people. Varlee Sheriff is a Future Guardian of Peace with everyday gandhis and a student at Foothill College in California. varlee with frank gallagher in ft. bragg, ca, photo by cynthia travis
10 • everyday gandhis • spring 2014
A Conversation With Morris by morris kamara
What do you hope to accomplish personally or with everyday gandhis this year? Personally, I hope to achieve my education as a senior in high school and continuing my pursuit of becoming a peacebuilder. Peacebuilding has become an integral part of my everyday life, and I have come to find that in being a peacebuilder, I must first find peace within myself. How do you think one comes to find peace? We find peace within ourselves through believing in ourselves and developing positive self-esteem. We recently held a workshop within our community with this topic as the central theme. With our history of war, should the youth feel disassociated from themselves, they are more likely to associate with the trauma of the past, which could be very destructive. We also discussed internal and external conflict, anger management, and fear. These topics are important because they are essentially related to being a productive peacebuilder. A loss of positive self-esteem may lead to fear, which can escape into an anger issue and gradually escalate into conflict. Having tools to deal with these feelings as they arise allows one to effectively solve problems and be more productive within the community. Do you feel you have found peace within yourself? I found much peace through going into the community and helping others find the same. Holding workshops and discussions helps me just as much as the others. I thank God for my life and the good things that He has done for me. He has been my helper, and now I am a senior in high school and believe myself to be a peacebuilder. What changes have you noticed in the youth since the end of the war until now? We’ve seen changes in our friends. Things they used to do and bad habits that they used to have, they don’t anymore. Now we see that most in the community are doing well and life seems generally better, and I believe our peacebuilding program carried throughout several counties in Liberia has been helpful. As we work with them, we encourage them to stay peaceful, invite them to engage with their communities in a helpful way, and council them on believing in their positive work. I notice that this helps our friends examine themselves and reevaluate who they are within the community.
morris, need photographers name
Where do you find inspiration? One person who inspires me is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The dream he had inspires me to carry it out. As a black man fighting for peace in America, he talked about reconciliation and working together as one people alike. He stood for peace. His dream is a message for those of us who still want peace in the world. His words resonate, “I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” His dream continues on through mine- that one-day Mama Liberia will stand for reconciliation against odds. Many thanks and a special appreciation to our mother, Cynthia Travis, for all of her support. Thank you for providing the things we need and enjoy. To everyday gandhis and our benefactors who are persistently assisting us in everything that we do, thank you. To the Travis familythank you for your loving, kindheartedness. Thank you to everyone who has participated in making this all happen for me. Morris Kamara is a Future Guardian of Peace with everyday gandhis and a student at William Booth High School.
Impact of Cuttington University on the Surrounding Community by ezekiel mavolo
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uttington University is centrally located in Liberia, 120 miles from Monrovia and 7 miles from Gbarnga, Bong County. As you drive along the road to Cuttington you begin to see a lot of things, such as lines of rubber trees, townspeople going about their normal interior activities and, of course, green forest. Comprised of seven colleges, including Natural Sciences, Health Sciences, Education, Theology, Agriculture and Integrated Development Studies, Business and Public Administration, and Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Cut-
tington attracts students from all over the fifteen counties of Liberia. The award-winning university is one of the most prestigious higher education establishments in Liberia. However, since its establishment in 1889 by the Episcopal Church of the United States, its impacts on the surrounding communities have not all been positive. One of the primary and most obvious benefits that Cuttington offers to its community dwellers is an increase of industry. It provides jobs Continued on back cover…
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…continued from page 11 for a wide range of workers with its demand for staff within the cafeteria, the security sector, the maintenance department, etc. Students who opt to live off campus create a greater consumer rate for surrounding marketers and other businesses. The Cuttington Campus also offers a reliable means for local farmers to sell their produce directly. Commercial Bike Riders, or Bike Taxis, receive daily business from students and faculty who depend on the service to remain punctual for classes. Another benefit, other than that of commerce, is the easy access for surrounding high school students to attend the university upon graduation. This makes the continuation of education more attainable for these youth. The harmful consequences of the University are less direct than the positive, but can still be traced back to the existence of Cuttington as one of the culprits. Cuttingon has a high rate of homelessness, especially children. This has to do with the abounding numbers of youth within the community who lack awareness about safe sex, pregnancy prevention, and the struggles of unplanned, early motherhood. In conversation with one young girl who has fallen unexpectedly pregnant she explained, “I was carried away by a boy who was attending Cuttington. After a couple of times being together in ‘sugar and honey mood’, I noticed that my body was not normal. I met him again at our old meeting place one evening and openly told him how I was feeling. At first, he said he didn’t understand, but then I went on, with tears rolling down my cheek, explaining that I was two months pregnant. I thought he would be the one to wipe
my tears away, but since that evening, I have not once seen that boy.” Tears were still rolling down her cheek whilst explaining the story to me. She is not alone in her situation, as the university students are in a bad habit of abandoning the consequences and responsibilities of their actions. According to my knowledge, Cuttington has not instated a direct solution to this problem, however they do their best to take care of the hungry children who amass outside the cafeteria waiting for leftover food. Sometimes the cafeteria workers take it upon themselves to carry leftover food to various communities. You can see them every evening carrying rubber bowls of every color on their heads to distribute. Through everyday gandhis I have been able to participate and lead discussions in several communities with the purpose of educating youth on the topic of safe sex, unexpected pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The youth seem to respond very respectfully and curiously to our discussions and workshops. It is my belief that Cuttington would benefit greatly from a similar sort of program. The young girl who I quoted in this article now has a son. They find it difficult to eat, but as long as they are still alive and breathing air, they will always hope that things will get better. As will I. Ezekiel Mavolo is a Future Guardian of Peace with everyday gandhis and a student at Cuttington University
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