Friday 7 March 2008

Kenya: POP member notes on the ground/ proposals

These emails show an online community (Minciu Sodas) in action, focusing support on Kenyans within the group. They give a snapshot of the Minciu Sodas Pyramid of Peace (PoP) project on Thursday March 2008. The emails give precise details of what is happening on the ground as PoP people work to promote long-term peace and prevent reprisal violence. The writers are Andrius (director of Minciu Sodas and the strategic thinker behind PoP) and Rachel (the present leader of PoP in Kenya -a role which is filled by different people in turn). The emails were sent on Thursday March 2008 to holistichelping@yahoogroups.com and other Minciu Sodas groups.

From: Andrius Kulikauskas

Rachel Wambui Kungu +254721626389, http://www.peace-caravan.org Thank you for your excellent report from our peacemakers in all of Kenya which I share below.

I can send you 400 USD and perhaps a bit more, I have to calculate the money I received and how much we have spent so far. Also, it is very good that you have found funds for our Nakuru meeting by linking that with the Volunteer Youth Philanthropists one day training. Are any more funds required for that meeting? We should make a list of our projects and the budget required. Also, please we need phone numbers for some of the people below, who might provide them? Thank you! Andrius Kulikauskas, ms@ms.lt, +370 699 30003

(To support PoP see current news of phone4peace )
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From: Rachel Wambui Kungu

Dear Janet, Andrius and all,

Thanks for your support and being part of peace building in Kenya,
though miles away very close in efforts of building a peaceful
coexistence in Kenya. I look at all in the network and especially
those away from us as our mentors, we volunteer and walk the talk
together.

This morning I spoke to Achami, Rono, Kilel, Edwin, Muturi, Wilson,
Tonny, Beatrice, Kirathe, Chelimo, Wesley and Kihara all from
different areas of the country called Kenya and from different
culture, communities, tribe etc

The general response and feeling is that there is peace in most parts
of our country and that those who had moved from various area and
regions are going back to where they call home. This to me is a sign
of peace in whatever perspective we look at it.

ACHAMI-Kuresoi +254720613379
Reported to me that on Wednesday there were killings in a place near
Molo (total) and several people have been admitted in hospital. On
Sunday Rono and Achami traveled to total to speak with elders in that
area of which the Kalenjin and Kikuyu live in the area. Achami says
"we had a dialogue meeting and we were able to negotiate on how to
stop the violence in order for him to be able to continue opening up
Molo to all the communities and for the negotiation to be successful,
it is a must for both community to maintain peace." He says that Rono
has played a major role in calming the situation and as we speak now
one of the worriors who was very much involed in the conflict has now
changed position and he is flexible and open for dialogue. Thanks Rono
and Achami, you compliment each other. Achami is still engaging the
community in Molo. Though he is in Kuresoi, he reported an attempted
attack at Baringo B but police intervened.

RONO Richard +254723732617
As I spoke to him this morning he was heading to a burial of a person
killed in the area and he said that he has a good platform to discuss
the peace talks going on at the community level and why the youth
should turn away from the violence thus, it was a mobilized group
despite the death, they can speak peace, Rono proposed that he would
like to go to Kitale to speak to the kalenjin, but after our
discussion we agreed that Kuresoi is still a hot spot and violence is
still continuing, thus he should work on building peace in ones
community before going to the next community. We agreed and then he
says he would like 50USD for his travel reimbursement and
communication for the talks he has had near total, which has changed
position of a worrior. For sometime Rono will be concentrating on
engaging Kalenjin in peace talks within Kuresoi to stop violence.

Kihara-Eldoret
He is organizing meetings and dialogue in secondary and University in
the area, taking advantage of his well connected network to work for
peace. Kihara says he would like to organize an open day forum with a
start of a road show stating the objective of the forum and the venue
to round Eldoret for effective mobilization and a start off forum for
all the communities for relationship building. I requested him to come
up with a budget for that, but I also mentioned to him that the
caravan is a road show and is being prepared to cme in May but he says
that's too far and the road show is a form of advertising for the
forum for mobilization purposes. Thus am waiting for the budget and
then I will discuss further with him to realize his dream. I call upon
Cheliomo Wesley and Joseph to be part of the noble cause.

Wesley –Eldoret +254722992107
He was one of the person I met in Eldoret on 18th of January 2008 ,
when I started taking risks to go and carry out fact finding and build
friends around me advocating for active non violence among the youth,
when I called him and I had him laugh on the other end, I knew it is
the dawn of the new beginning. He told me that there is peace
inEldoret and that they are looking forward to International women's
day and asked if I will be joining them. I was happy to heart to hear
the good news, however he requested for some credit if available and
that was all.

Chelimo +254722809690
Welcomed me to Eldoret and he said there is peace and people are going
back to there so called homes. He asked me whether I will be
participating in the women's day event in Eldoret as Andrius had
promised to send one of us but told him , I have no idea but I will
think about it. I joked that he will send me away but he said a big
NO, there is peace and war is over, as a peace builder, those were
veery encouraging words to me especially that early morning. I have a
reason to sleep a little longer and a smile if not laughter. Ken also
requested for airtime. That was all.

Charles Kilel +254 727 281 419
I always smile but too bad he cannot see it through the cell phone,
reason being, when we met for the first time, after knowing him for a
while over the phone, I requested him to describe the Rachel he had in
mind, sorry I will not describe because of those who haven't seen me
yet I live them to think about it. He was happy to hear from me after
sometime and I told him not to be breaking the silence, as
communication is power and we learn from each other. He didn't have
something in mind then as he said the victims are now coming back home
and he is thinking of how to hold a dialogue meeting with the victims
and perpetrators to build relationship again. He says he has noted
some fear from both communities and he would like them to address the
fears to avoid negative outcomes. However, he says he will wait for
sometime for more people to come back. We also discussed my then
proposal of building a group of 10s from several homestead nearing
each other and encourage them to be each others keeper. I was happy
too that he has started identifying the representatives. Mr. Kile, am
definitely coming to Kericho to see you and the team, I have postponed
it for long but with a reason and to address urgent matters, I felt
you could handle Kericho from the discussion we had and with the
introduction of the young man Henry. Kindly ask him to give me a
shout. I will get back to Kilel for further discussion on my visit
which should be soon. I proposed to him a training/dialogue in Kericho
with participants from Sotik which he says its near and Kisii. This is
to try and connect Edwin who has interest in Sotik so that they can
work togther.

Edwin Nyandisi +254-722587836
Having worked with him for several years, it was not hard to get what
I wanted from Edwin, He has already written and proposed for the
follow up meeting in Sotik. Kindly outline how many people will
participate in the meeting. I would also like to know if the team you
met have a formal group or not and if not during your next meeting we
would like to here what they have to say about registering a group for
easy follow up and networking in Sotik. I personally have a special
interest in Sotik Kisii and Kericho, I would also like to know if you
have managed to get intouch with some of the youth we met last year
during the caravan. Still think of proposing a security team as you
reported that you met the administration (areas chief) and a councilor
could you build on that in order to have flow of communication on the
ground. I would like to join you, if possible we leave on Friday
morning and find out on Saturday what the women will be doing. Just a
thought Kindly quote your budget again and we can discuss.

Beatrice Nzovu
She called me this morning requesting for the reports we have
submitted at WIKI on views and happenings on the ground and
recommendation. This is in line with the Curriculum she is trying to
produce for POP peacebuilding healing and reconciliation. Also she
confirmed her facilitation of the 15-16 training in nakuru, despite
her tight schedule she has time for POP. Also she would like to get
the reports in order to have an idea of our expectation as POP
leaders. All in all Beatrice has worked with women *elite* as I may
call them but she is now concentrating with the young woman at the
grassroot level and in that case, she is organising young women for
the march on Saturday and requested me to join her but it is
unfortunate I am living for either Eldoret or Sotik to organize some
forum. I would like to request for 250USD for Beatrice to organize and
facilitate young women meeting after the March and gather some ideas
on the motherly constitution. Beatrice kindly elaborate on how you
plan to go about the above and the number of young women you intend to
mobilize and possible outcome. I always look at forming groups on the
ground and if this can be a starting point I am ready to follow up the
group. Together we can make it.

Tonny
He is looking forward to meeting the Luo elder soon a trip he is
joining Ken for fact finding and empowerment of youth in Kisumu to be
able to participate fully in POP and also identify the champions down
there or is it up there Ken O and Tonny?

Ken Owino +254723568251
He was occupied trying to keep his house in order for his preparation
for a trip soon. He has several events and he will be at the National
Theatre tomorrow afternoon, actually today (Thursday) and He has
invited me at the cultural center where they are performing on
Sarturday. All the best young man, you have the potential you will
make it. Come back with a smile as always. I haven't heard from you
the budget for your trip kindly forward it as well.

Dennis Kimambo +254722388275
He was facilitating so we didn't talk. Dennis, I hope we can talk soon
need your advice on some few things about the Nakuru training on 15th
and 16th.

Kirathe & Wilson -Naivasha
After the unblocking of the roads, and my personal visit and a follow
up meeting with the Naivasha youth and forming a Naivasha Youth Peace
Initiative, Kirate says we are forgetting them. He was the first
together with Thuo to report that the Luo's who had been evicted from
Naivasha are now coming back and taking over there jobs after a long
forced leave. He told me that Naivasha people are welcoming them and
life is going on well. No tension or incidences and since the TWO
agreed to work together they are ready to restore the lost
relationship. He was asking if I will be visiting them soon but I
didn't have answer since I am abit held up in other areas. However,
Naivasha being very near Nairobi, I promised I can have technical
appearance every now and then as we fundraise for a training in the
area. I miss you friend in Naivasha, I will see you soon.

Robert Muturi Nairobi +254 722 555 302 and Wilson Naivasha
They are young men with positive thinking about the future of the
country. Through them I was able to get connections in Naivasha. I am
happy to have you around and the information you share with me is and
has always been helpful. They were both collegues in High School and
as I learn now they are tied up organising themselves either to join
University or College for further education. Robert is also helping
me with VYP theatre group. He has interacted with most of you in the
chat. Young me when you join another institution move on with the
peace handle and build circle of friends for a positive thinking. You
can change the world.

Rachel
Nakuru Training
This will be a joint effort of Pyramid of Peace and Voluntary Youth
Philanthropists who have secured some little funding to facilitate one
day training and POP can facilitate one day. This saves on travel cost
and maximizing of the resources for a greater impact. VYP will also be
having student teachers leadership training either in Nakuru or
Eldoret, we are yet to confirm.

I have also invited Kinyanjui who will give a motivational talk on
Youth leadership in peace building. Find out more about him when you meet.

I will be sending credit to those organizing an activity or event for
communication purpose.

Emmanuel Were +254721938340, Tom Ochuka +254 712 929 029 and others I hope we can chat in the morning. It
is 3am, I wish to go and sleep for now.

A youth steward council or what… for the countries future (watchdogs)
thanks Janet and Andrius and Gachara for you contributions.

Great to know you all.
Rachel
www.peace-caravan.org

http://www.worknets.org/wiki.cgi?HolisticHelping

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