A tribute to Local PeaceBuilders

At times the aching heart never stops neither do the tears stop flowing; but as left my home to go to Paretz the place felt like home with rivers flowing, the beautiful lake and the walk to the academy not forgetting the hospitality of the entire village.

I will share my journey as me; I was just another teary bubble.  Eight months ago I lost my dad and on that day I felt half of my heart died with him. It has been tough since, there was need to go deeper than community peace and somehow my path to inner peace was already set. I am from two fighting communities, you can feel the hatred even as we share the common space but my dad and mum married and had me a child of mixed blood; the same blood flows in my veins without fighting, why do we fight in the 1^st place.

I allowed myself to be vulnerable and to let out all the pain; I reflected on my personal journey to peace and how at times I walk away from my own initiatives and let it die as other people scrambled for it. It was hard for me to speak up as my little voice murmured within me, instead of talking to the team I will talk to my inner self. Just day one I realised I cannot afford to be silent anymore but there was need to broaden my horizon.  The issue of resilience was raised and I was not sure if I was but somehow I always find the strength to bounce back even in the weakest of moments.

A chance to have a reflection on my Organisation; It has been 13 years since I left college and went back home to start HODI. Always doing something and not having enough time to STOP and reflect, this was the chance for me to re-look at my organisation. The focus has been how do we bridge the gap and increase our impact. Reach more people without opening offices all over the place. There was lots of sharing in the room from other local PeaceBuilders like me, but just then I felt there was lots to hear, lots we can share and learn from each other. What will be my pick from a researcher on peace?.........lots which we slide under without knowing. Next day was making the connections as civil society then we had to wrap up and leave for Berlin.

As we looked at each other in the eyes without saying a word tears started flowing just knowing what the space meant to us and the heart begging to be given another chance to just connect with the local PeaceBuilders. Amid the safe space I found a child in me, who wanted to ride a bicycle and as I almost fell each time but each moment was rejuvenating. Trying to hold myself together and just being strong when inside me I felt empty. Somehow I needed the space to be away from home a space safe enough for me to curl up and cry. But I cried no more being nominated for the Global PeaceBuilders Summit was a humbling experience. 

I was able to reach deep into my aching heart, STOP to reflect on my journey as me. I had a chance to sing and beat the drums; a chance to just laugh my heart out; a chance to go on a boat with the lovely team who are now my sisters and brothers. The space was so small, the connections so intimate and sincere, each one of us left with peace in the heart. There were moments of getting to kick some ball, some amazing moments of crawling and just chatting away the connections. To the dreamers of this dream, thank you for the gift of peace in my heart. Thank you for the one on one connection, I will take each of you with me in my heart, your peace journey will be my journey and your crisis will be my crisis. You held my hands when I was down; wiped away my tears as it just flowed. Gave me courage as I felt alone, I take back your strength with me.  

As we all left Paretz the home of peace to Berlin it was a different level meeting with the Political leaders in Parliament and the Ministry of Foreign affairs. Again  thank you for creating the safe space for us to link at personal, emotional and intellectual level. The common and mutual learning continues and already we are connecting the small dots as local PeaceBuilders. Now that we are all safely home one thing is very clear Our Purpose as Local PeaceBuilders Together for Global Peace.

On this day of Peace, this is a special tribute to the 30 local PeaceBuilders who met in Paretz. To the dreamers of this dream the Peace Counts programs under Culture Counts and the wonderful insights from the entire organising team. It would not have been the same if it was in a city but my heart goes out to Paretz the Home of Peace.