It is action time! These were the words uttered by the Kithoka community women in Meru during the recently held three day Creators of Peace workshop.

The workshop was organized by the International Peace Initiative (IPI) and facilitated by Initiatives of Change Kenya. Around 30 women, from within and outside the Kithoka community in Meru, participated in the workshop that took place from 30 January to 2 February, 2013. 

Among the topics explored during the workshop included were: What creates and what destroys peace, Circles of concern, Qualities of a peace creator, Inner peace, Listening to others,  Inner listening as well as forgiveness.

The Power of forgiveness session changed attitudes of most of the women, especially after listening to their fellow participants' real life experiences and stories. Some even wrote letters forgiving those who wronged them as well as apologizing to those they had wronged.

The participants also expressed how they felt about the current peace situation in the country, given that we are preparing for general elections. They committed themselves to be peace ambassadors wherever they go, to spread peace, and to help shun any possibilities of violence in the coming election. They cemented their commitments by signing the Clean Elections Campaign commitment pledges - a programme currently being run by Initiatives of Change Kenya.

The workshop was facilitated by Esthermarrie Inzekellah (Nakuru) and Juliana Nakhumicha (Eldoret), as well as Dr Karambu Ringera, the president and founder of International Peace Initiatives. 

Report by Enzekella Esthermarrie