Thank you for coming back! CoP follow up in Nyandarua County-Kenya

‘Wow! Not many organizations come back to see how we are faring after they train us.’ These were the words of Assistant Chief of Gichaka location in Nyandarua county who took part in a Creators of Peace Circles (CoP) follow-up meeting that brought together 13 participants on 8 July, 2015. He was one of the few men who have attended Peace Circles. ‘As a Chief who deals with different people and situations on a daily basis, the training has made my work easier. Inner listening has guided me all through’ He was very grateful and appreciated the CoP team for their good efforts in making peace a reality in Kenya through women.

One participant whose marriage got a new lease of life after CoP training was ailing and the CoP team went to visit her the day before the follow up meeting. For seventeen years she lived with her husband but they couldn’t talk to each other- they used to write letters to communicate until when she took part in CoP and decided to forgive her husband. She was very excited as she shared with her husband and daughter how the training had changed her attitude and life in general.

‘Good listening is a formula that has been helping me make wise decisions when dealing with people.  I have also been striving to be a good role model in my family and this has influenced my family members and the community.’ Shared Mary.

Miriam was challenged by the fact that “change starts with me” and made a decision to forgive people she had hated for so long. ..‘but I had to start by forgiving myself from the spirit of self-rejection and dealing with my personality  and then I got the strength forgive others’ she expressed.

There is a lot of hope in Nyandarua County with these women on the lead, some of them like Veronica have trained other women on peace and has taken on to help children in need.

There is power in committing your heart knowing very well that it is between you and God.  The women made a pledge in which they promised to be peace creators as long as they live, and in a symbolic way they lit candles to show that they were the light of their county.  

The Creators of Peace Kenya wishes to thank Irene Prestwich Trust Fund (IPT) and Friends of Africa Fund (FoA) who financially supported this meeting.

By Annie Gitu and Mumbi Wambugu

Photo Credits: Sam Mwaura