The mission of Shalom (SCCRR) is fostering a society where peace, social justice and reconciliation prevail in all our project areas in Eastern Africa and throughout Africa. This is achieved through five fundamental objectives among them the development of inter-ethnic and inter-religious schools and institutions, the designing and promotion of peace education syllabus into education educational institutes, the provision of solar energy, construction of classroom, desks and books in areas previously entrenched in violent conflict. Shalom’s Peace Education Department is therefore fundamental within SCCRR’s structure of operations and strategy implementation, as it engages teachers and pupils from inter-ethnic and inter-religious schools with the aim of promoting interaction and providing opportunities which actually create and restore positive relationships conflicting communities.
Marti Primary School peace club members display their names during a peace activity in their school
During the first half of year, the department through the professional expertise of its staff oversaw the facilitation of six peace club workshops and the three peace club patrons’ trainings. These trainings have totaled to five hundred and ten (510) peace club members from nine schools in Northern Kenya: four schools from Marsabit County and five from Samburu County. Forty two (42) teachers (peace club patrons) from fourteen (14) schools also received peacebuilding training as mentors to peace club members in their respective schools. The department also participated in the Annual Peace Event held in Nairobi- Kariobangi slum themed “say no to violence to children’’ that attracted a total of six hundred (600) peace club members from eight (8) schools in Nairobi County.
SCCRR Staff, Morijo Primary School Peace Club Patrons and Members pose for a group photo after the peace club activities
The training of peace club members designed “Children’s Voice for Peace’’, has indeed helped the children understand the situations that put them in conflict with each other and the importance of embracing peace within the school and in the community. As Sri Chinmoy puts it, “a heart of peace is always the best problem-solver,” these peace club members’ hearts are for peace and they are ready to solve conflict issues they experience in their communities. Shalom-SCCRR also supports peace clubs with writing materials to facilitate the implementation of their peace education activities in schools.
Pupils performing a Maasai traditional dance at the Annual Peace Event in Kariobangi
These Peace Education activities actualized in schools are truly transforming the lives of many school going children in northern part of Kenya and Nairobi County particularly in Kariobangi and Mathare slums. SCCRR Peace Education strategy is helping the pupils/students realize the need to respect and appreciate ethnic diversity in their schools as Shalom aims to develop positive values, knowledge, attitudes, skills, and behaviors for a better future of not only the school going children but also the communities we work with through trainings on various peacebuilding techniques and non-violent methods of resolving conflicts.
By:
Mr. Arthur Magero, M.A., B.A. – Head of Peace Education Department
