The Faces of Shalom
Our conflict management workshops throughout Kenya aim to empower victims of inter-ethnic conflict in the fight for sustainable peace. We work hand in hand with community influencers so that they may learn to prevent conflict before it happens. These are their stories.
Conflict Management Workshop, Kibish
This month’s Faces of Shalom focus will look at three participants of our conflict management workshop in the area of Kibish located in Turkana County, North Western Kenya. Read a short Q&A with participants in the Kibish workshop and learn the reasons behind their search for peace.
Name: Ewesit Nato
Age: 50
Region: Kibish, Turkana County, North Western Kenya.
Why are you participating in the Kibish workshop?
This area where we live, is close to our sisters and brothers from the Nga’atom community. We both love our animals and we have to find grazing for them each day. The shortage of grass because of the drought has caused us to have conflicts with our neighbours. I long to see peace and live in harmony with all people. I came to this workshop to learn how we can build peace.
What do you hope to be able to bring back to your community after graduating from Kibish workshop?
I and the other elders who have come to this workshop will meet with the warriors in the evening time when they return from grazing. At that meeting I will explain to them the importance of each person and there is no need to kill each other. We have a long and good history with our neighbours – let us try to live in peace and harmony.
Name: Teresia Ikaale
Age: 62
Region: Kibish, Loruth Location, Turkana County, North Western Kenya.
Why are you participating in the Kibish workshop?
Years ago, we were attacked in our village and I was shot in my arm and my leg. My two sons have been killed and I have also lost my husband. I have survived only by God’s will. I have come to this workshop because I want to see peace, we cannot continue living in conflict with our neighbours. It is good that I learn about peace.
What do you hope to be able to bring back to your community after graduating from Kibish workshop?
I will speak to the other women in the community and share with them the knowledge I have received in this workshop. I will come to the next workshop and encourage them to come also so that we as women learn about bringing peace to our community.
Name: Philip Kitca
Age: 30
Village: Kibish
Why are you participating in the Kibish Workshop?
I am teacher and I have seen how conflict has disrupted our school. Often pupils don’t attend because of the fear of fighting. Sometimes we hear the shots at night and the next day, the children will not be in school. I have come here to learn about peace.
What do you hope to be able to bring back to your community after graduating from Kibish workshop?
As I learn about peace then I will have the opportunity to teach the children in my class. The future is to let them know and created their future of peace. The school is a great place where we can help the children to know and love peace.
