Pathway to a peaceful Liberia

Please Click on the Link Below to Read Success Story

2011-12-19T18:38:00.000-08:00

Vonhm-Benda Peace Education Transforming Lives in Post-conflict Nation

Benefit Event - July 16 @5pm

2011-06-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks for All of Your Help in 2010!!

2011-01-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!

With peace and joy, the Center for Peace Education (CPE) wants to take this opportunity to sincerely say "Thank You" for your support in 2010. As the result of your assistance in kind and cash, CPE was able to accomplish the following this past year!

CPE expended to serve a total of four private and three public schools "teaching Peace Education" as a subject in the classrooms.
Two International volunteers (from the USA and Sweden) visited CPE as part of a summer peace-building institute and offered training for teachers, students, and community dwellers
Four female students affected by the conflict and living in abject poverty received scholarships from one of CPE's international volunteers
A former child solider in grade school and a nursing student affected by the conflict continued to receive scholarship to pursue the educational goals
CPE received several generous school supplies (chalk, pens, markers, pencils, notebooks, teacher's plan books, clothing, tennis shoes, book bags, laptop, 10 CPUs, etc...
CPE secured a quarter-acre lot of land as well as book donations for a future Peace Library
CPE held an end of marking period for students to translate their knowledge, skills, and theories taught in the classrooms into practical demonstrations on stage
CPE extended Peer Mediation workshops to three new communities
A CPE instructor was name Most Peaceful Teacher for the 2009-2010 academic year at the Pamela Kay High School in Lower Virginia, District 13, Montserrado County
Over ten thousand students and community dwellers benefited from CPE workshops, trainings, and teachings. Furthermore, in communities and schools where CPE is working, there were no reports of students expulsion or misbehavior on campus and students-related violence declined

As we enter 2011, plans are now underway to expend CPE activities across the nation to reach as many youths as possible in order to prevent the occurrence of youth related violence. This is particularly relevant as we enter a new elections season which has often been accompanied by an increase in violence, as evidenced by neighboring West African countries.

Thank you for your continue support to CPE. Online donations are also accepted through CPE secured site http://www.peaceedu.org/

CPE Needs You

Peace Education Enters Liberian Schools for the Second Year

2010-09-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

After a rigorous ethnography survey on the causes of continues violence in Liberian schools and communities; CPE was able to develop proactive teaching packages for promoting the culture of peace.

The Center for Peace Education is focused on transforming Liberian children’s bad experiences into positive ones. Since CPE began teaching Peace Education as a subject in Liberia in 2009, school headmasters have informed CPE that students knowledge about understanding the causes of conflict have improved significantly. Schools headmasters indicated that students were able to identify and explain likely causes of everyday conflicts in their lives, schools, and communities.

Furthermore, Deans of students stated that students’ communication skills have improved greatly over the past year. Students demonstrated effective listening skills by accurately restating conflicting parties’ ideas and feelings without taking sides.

Even more importantly, school administrators stressed that students’ attitude were enhanced over the year. Students demonstrated extreme respect and acceptance for other students who were different from them in terms of religion and tribe; thus, fostering effective cohesiveness on campus and in their respective communities.

Over 15 schools have asked CPE to teach Peace Education as a subject in their schools. CPE is unable to reach all of the schools; notwithstanding, CPE added two of those schools to its current work load.

For the past two years, CPE has been self funded. All of CPE’s teachers are volunteers; however, CPE is kindly requesting your support in-kind and cash – to help our teachers with transportation cost from their homes to schools and also with teaching materials which includes, but not limited to:
Duster / Blackboard Eraser
Staplers; Reams of paper
Sharpeners
Correction fluid
Folders / files
Envelopes; Poster Sheets
Construction paper; Markers
Flip Chart Pads; Teacher’s Plan Books
Notebooks; Pencils /Pens
Chalk / Crayons

Thanks for your unwavering support!!!

Post-Conflict Reconstruction - through PeaceBuilding Liberia

2010-07-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

Vacation Peace Education School Started off well and great!! The Themes for the three sessions are: “Peer Mediation for Peer Solutions” – for students/youths; “Learning Peace to Teach Peace” – for Center for Peace Education teachers; and “Be The Example of the Change you would like to see in Liberia” – for communities dwellers, politicians, religious leaders, etc.

Special “Thank You” to Prof. Nilani Ljunggren de Silva from Stockholm University, Sweden and Ms. Yves-Renne Jennings from George Masson University, Virginia, USA who helped tremendously with the teachings.

The Center for Peace Education (CPE) lessons are conducted through dance, art, drama, songs, poems, drawing, etc so as to portray a culture of peace, reconciliation, a world of tolerance, creative self-esteem and expression. Through CPE lesson presentations, students are not only learning that peace is possible, but even more importantly, how to make it possible.

For a generation deprived of childhood, for a generation accustomed to awarding violent behaviors, CPE teachings buffers the impact of war, enhances students inner peace, and brings cheerily expressions into their lives.

To our many supporters and friends, CPE says “Thank You” for you financial and materials support for making this year vacation peace-building training a success!! Please follow the links below for videos and pictures update: http://peacefulliberia.blogspot.com/ or http://www.peaceedu.org/

Peace Exhibit A Fundraiser

2010-06-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

This summer CPE is pleased to announce that it will be receiving two volunteers for its Peace Building Summer Training – one from George Mason University, Virginia, USA and the other from Stockholm University, in Sweden.
CPE needs:
Housing and transportation for some of its international guests
Stipends for its local facilitators
Teaching materials
Refreshments
Transportation
Facilities
Publicities; etc.

Duster / Blackboard Eraser

Staplers

Reams of paper

Sharpeners

Correction fluid

Folders / files

Envelopes

Poster Sheets

Construction paper

Markers

Flip Chart Pads

Teacher’s Plan Books

Notebooks

Pencils /Pens

Chalk / Crayons
CPE is holding a Peace Exhibit as a fundraiser
When: Sunday, June 27, 2010
Where: Long Branch Community Center
8700 Piney Branch Road; Silver Spring, MD 20901
Time: 4pm – 7pm
Price: CHARITABLE DONATION

The Center for Peace Education (CPE) is a local non-governmental organization dedicated to teaching peace through mediation as a means of achieving harmony and a better life for Liberia’s future generations pleased. Currently the CPE is teaching peace education as a subject in various grade schools to 2000 students in Montserrado County, Liberia. Moreover, CPE is also teaching peace through mediation in several communities as a means fostering peaceful co-existence among community dwellers.
Since the inauguration of an elected government in January 2006, youth initiated violence continue to persist – because children who participated in war were brainwashed, drugged, and carried out destruction of lives and properties. Even children who did not participate in war witnessed death or torture of family members and friend became displaced or refugee in strange lands, some were falsely imprisoned or suffered torture and other forms of abuse. As a result, these children remain scarred from a life of unending violence.
For example:
the burning of the police stations in Bong, Margibi, and Nimba Counties – in some instances the accused detainees were set on fire
the destruction of the University of Liberia generator by students that resulted in the flogging of the electrical guard
the killing of seven people and the destruction of several religious and private buildings in Lofa
the burning of a Liberian police officer while in his uniform and the individual who came to his rescue.

I can go on and on listing various forms of youth initiated violence which has resulted in a significant number of deaths and destruction of property all over Liberia.

Mid-School Year Testimonials

2010-02-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

Since the beginning of the school year (2009/2010), the Center for Peace Education (CPE) has been teaching Peace Education as a subject in several grade schools in Montserrado County, Liberia for the first time in the country history. CPE lessons are conducted through dance, art, drama, songs, poems, drawing, etc so as to portray a culture of peace, reconciliation, a world of tolerance, creative self-esteem and expression. Through CPE lesson presentations, students are not only learning that peace is possible, but even more importantly, how to make it possible. For a generation deprived of childhood, for a generation accustomed to awarding violent behaviors, CPE teachings buffers the impact of war, enhances students inner peace, and brings cheerily expressions into their lives. This form of Peace Education is imbedded in preventive and corrective education for personal growth and development. Center for Education method is not solely about teaching peace, but living PEACE each day. Below please find testimonials from school head masters.

Testimonies from Mr. Lasana Sessay
Principal, Mark J. Richards Memorial High School Bushrod Island, Liberia:
“Peace Education is a good for all schools in Liberia and I am asking the Ministry of Education to embrace it, accept it, and incorporate it in the national academic curriculum. All of our students were affected by the civil war and they have come to accept the concept of violence as a way of life. But with the introduction of Peace Education, it is helping our students to look beyond stereotype, cultural and religious barriers”. The Center for Education teaching is conducted through an interactive learning process which is directed towards helping students to understand one another better. Mr. Sessay stressed that “fighting has dropped significantly on campus and students’ behaviors have improved – they are now coming to school on time and following instructions. This is very good for our school. We are calling on everyone to please support the Center for Peace Education. Thank you!”

Mr. Titus Korngor
Principal, Pamela Kay High School, Montserrado County“Our students are taking peace education as subject in our school. Since the inception of peace education as a course, most of our students have changed in behavior.” The core aspect of the Center for Peace Education is to invite students to question their value, belief, and biases which they have come to develop as the result of the war. “Center for Peace Education learning process is helping our students to cultivate the culture of tolerance. As a result of the Peace Education, our campus is violence free. None of our students have been suspended or expelled. We are calling on the national government, international community, friends, and peace loving people to please buttress the effort of the Center for Peace Education in order to teach peace all over country. This will help to bring peace to Liberia. Because when our students learn peace, it means that Liberia and our global village is becoming peaceful. Thanks to the Center for Peace Education for teaching peace!”

Success Stories April 2009 – August 2009

2009-10-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

A baseline survey on the causes of violence and level of violence in 15 schools was conducted
Over 500 hundred students, teachers and administrators participated in the survey
Focused groups discussion with over 300 hundred students, and administrators were held
The data was analyzed and priorities were reviewed and discussed with individual schools involved
Vacation Peace Education Schools was introduced for both students and staffs
Over 400 grade school and university students, community leaders, and teaching staffs, benefited from a six-week intensive training in Peer Mediation, Conflict Resolution, and Job Skills Development
20 Peer Mediation Networking Group established in forty Communities to promote the Culture of Peace
Center for Peace Education is currently teaching Peace Education as subject in various schools located on Bushrod Island – Montserrado County for the first time in Liberian history.

Back In Washington, DC; USA

2009-10-04T11:56:00.000-07:00

For the first time in Liberia’s history, peace education is being taught as a subject in various schools across the Bushrod Island community in Montroserrado County by educators (picture above) who completed a six-week intensive training program in peer mediation, conflict resolution, and job skills development.

In order to raise funds to help continue this work, particularly to compensate the existing teachers, I am preparing an exhibit that demonstrates the students’ work. It will include:
* visual and written artistic expressions of the war, conflict, and symbols of peace (e.g., shell casings that have been transformed into artwork), and
* a short discussion on the results of the survey taken in post-conflict reconstruction to assess the causes of conflict on campus, which range from sex for grades to tribal intolerance.

While I am in the US over the next month, it would be my pleasure to meet with students, churches, mosques, community organizations; etc... and discuss how one aspect of conflict resolution methodologies at the local level is an important part of reconciliation and peacebuilding during post-conflict reconstruction.

From Guns and Bullets TO Notebooks and Pens

2009-09-26T06:40:00.000-07:00

......CHANGE......

“Waking up in the morning…with my uniforms…on my way to school, sitting in the classroom taking notes – is something that I really like doing every day.” These are of words of Matthew Jacobs, a former child soldier who fought the Liberian Civil War at the age of eight in 2003.

As part of fulfilling its mission, the Center for Peace Education decided to assist Matthew, now 14, to go to school for the first time in his life. During the months of May through August, Matthew received intensive tutoring at the Center for Peace Education office to prepare him for the 2009-2010 academic year. Today, Matthew can read and he is enrolled as a student at Pamela Kay, an elementary, junior, and senior high school located in Ray Hill Field, District number 13; Montserrado County.

When asked if waking up and going to school is different from going to the battlefront in the morning, without hesitation, Matthew replied with a resounding “Yes – there is a difference.” First he explained that no one forces him to go to school in the morning, unlike going to the battlefront. Early in the morning he used to wake up by the sounds of the guns and without a shower he would jump into a rebel pickup and head for the battlefront. At school, there is no suffering and crying on campus, like on the battlefront where people were always running away from the war.

During the first day of school, when I took Matthew there he was confused. Looking around the place, it seemed the campus atmosphere looked strange to him – including his fellow students. I later introduced him to his 3rd grade class sponsor. The sponsor welcomed him and asked him to take a seat. Matthew took the very last seat in the back, but the teacher encouraged him to move closer and associate with his fellow classmates.

Three weeks into school, Matthew told me that campus life is interesting and full of fun. Everything is done orderly. “In fact”, he said, “I had the opportunity to vote for my class representatives for the first time in my life. There were no beatings, yelling, everyone voted for the person they wanted. In the end the losers and winners joked about the results and we moved on with our class activities.”

When asked about returning to war if rebel leaders came today and asked him to take up guns against an elected government he replied, “I will never be prepared to go and fight on the battlefront. I will never take up guns anymore against my friend. Whenever I hear about war, I will be the first person to run away. I like school. I am very happy to be in school. War can kill too many people.”

Matthew said that even though he is happy to be in school, it saddens him when he encounters some of his former rebel child soldiers who do not have the opportunity that he currently enjoys. He asked if the Center for Peace Education could possibly help his friends out. I promised Matthew, that once funds become available, the Center will do all it can to help his friends.
This is the change that the Center for Peace Education envisioned. A new Liberia, a country in which young people can grow up in peace; knowing that violence is not the way to obtain what one desires.

The Center for Peace Education would like to extend a big and special “Thank You” to the a lot of family members and friends for helping to make this possible. If it were not for their generous donation, I would not have been able to go from tutoring to actually enrolling Matthew in school. Their donation also assisted the Center for Peace Education to conduct its Vacation Peace Education School, which trained nearly 400 students in peer mediation and conflict resolution skills. In addition, because of the quality of work that was done, over 13 schools have asked the Center to teach Peace Education as a subject for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Currently, the Center for Peace Education is teaching Peace Education as a subject in six schools, including Matthew’s school, across the Bushrod Island Community, Montserrado County for the first time in Liberia. This indeed is truly a pathway to building a culture of peace in post-conflict Liberia.

Center for Peace Education Launched In Liberia

2009-09-12T04:32:00.000-07:00

During the occasion there was a symbolic burning and then burying of words that expresses dispute, violence, and war. After that, the "Seed" (tree) that represents Peace in Liberia was planted. The Center for Peace Education also received blessings from diverse religious background in Liberia, including Liberian traditional faith who presented traditional blessings to the Center for Peace Education which is also demonstrated in pictures below. For more detail coverage of the program, please read the Liberian Daily Observed newspaper @ the link provided: http://www.liberianobserver.com/node/1392

“DAY OF PEACE” & "“DAY OF PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE”

2009-09-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

Center for Peace Education
COMMEMORATE “DAY OF PEACE” &
“DAY OF PRAYER FOR WORLD PEACE”
WITH GRADUATION AND LAUNCHING CEREMONY

The Program Will Include:
Peace Messages from Diverse Religious Backgrounds

An Exhibit of Students’ Works on Conflict and Peace
A short Video Clip highlighting Major Events
A symbolic Condemnation Against War by:
Burning and Burying Words Which Expresses Violence by
Sowing a Plant That Represents PEACE

Come One – Come All with your Condemnations against War

Center for Peace Education would like for you to:
“Be an Example of the Change you would like to see in Liberia”

WHERE: Unity Conference Center
DATE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2009

TIME: 2PM – 5PM

www.peaceedu.org; Tel: 07Peaceed

Center for Peace Education First International Volunteer’s Reflection

2009-09-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

Justin E. Ralston

The most valuable natural resource anyplace has is its youth. The youth have the potential to determine the future of Liberia. My experience has left me with no question that the young people are ready to learn, eager to serve their communities, and striving to make life better for themselves, their families, communities, and country. The challenge for Liberia and the rest of the world is how to best mobilize resources and implement programs that can develop these precious resources.

Organizations like the Center for Peace Education can help facilitate this process. The vision is clear—a peaceful Liberia. Its mission is based around working with the young people of Liberia. The combination of a clear vision and mission can help promote peace education, prepare people with the tools necessary to serve their communities in a nonviolent, peaceful way that will ultimately help develop themselves, their families, communities, and country.

There is no question that Liberia has a dark history. A quote by Martin Luther King, Jr. is given in every workshop conducted by the Center of Peace Education that states, “Darkness cannot drives out darkness, only light can do that.” There are flickers of light across this country waiting to push out the darkness. One of the starkest illustrations of this is seeing a 15-year old child stand proudly, looking at his notebook and sounding out words. This is the first time he has ever been able to make sounds out of letters. Five years ago he had a gun strapped around his neck with ammunition draped around his shoulders. Now he is standing prouder than ever. There is hope. There is light—a lot of it.

I thank Mainlehwon Ebenezer VONHM and the Center for Peace Education for allowing me to volunteer within the organization. It has been a powerful experience that I will not forget. I promise to share the hope and potential that I have seen within the Liberian people as I continue to work in the United States in East Africa.
Justin’s Biography
Justin Ralston is from Angola, Indiana, USA and a 2006 graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary social studies education and a certificate from the University of Amsterdam in peace and conflict studies. After teaching middle school for one year Justin moved to Washington, DC to earn a Master of Social Work degree at Howard University specializing in refugees and displaced populations in 2009. Justin met Mainlehwon Ebenezer Vohm while interning at the Refugee Center in Washington, DC during the 2008/2009 school year.

Justin has traveled to East Africa six times serving as a teacher in Kenya, a volunteer with the Uganda Red Cross Society, and most recently to establish an NGO that works on promoting literacy in refugee resettlement camps and former conflict/war areas. Volunteering with the Center for Peace Education is Justin’s first experience in West Africa.

In August 2009 Justin will begin to work as a high school special education teacher in Prince George’s County Public School in Maryland, USA. He looks forward to connecting and empowering students from both the United States and around the world.

“Peer Mediation for Peer Solutions” – VOA # 1 Academy High School

2009-08-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

On the 13th July, 2009 by 9:00am, we arrived at our second venue, VOA # 1 Academy high school located on the outskirts of Monrovia City. The VOA Camp # 1 is highly dominated by internally displaced persons and Sierra Leonean refugees.
Upon our arrival at the campus, the principal and few members of his staffs including the interested students / persons were already gathered at the auditorium anxiously awaiting us. As usual, at VOA, we continue with our plan of teaching both Peer Mediation and Job Skills Development classes. Surprisingly to us, however, those present for the seminar were not only students, but also, teachers, community leaders, (i.e., the interpreter for the largest mosques in VOA community, local youth organization leaderships, etc).
In conformity with our plan of teaching, the class at VOA Camp # 1, ended on the July 17, 2009; with the formation of three Peer Mediation Network Groups. The students were happy that the seminar “Peer Mediation for Peer Solutions” has taught them both the skills necessary for them to sense the symptoms of conflict and to resolve violence peacefully.

“Peer Mediation for Peer Solutions” Pamela Kay High School Ray Hill Field

2009-08-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

Vacation Peace Education School !!
The Vacation Peace Education School is in full gear. After the preliminary results from the baseline survey on the causes and level of violence in schools, the data reveals that students lack the basic skills needed to sense the symptoms of conflict and the investigative skills needed to resolve common conflicts in their communities, schools, families, and amongst their peers peacefully.
As a result, the Center for Peace Education has embarked on a Six-Week Peer Mediation Training to be conducted in six different schools located in six different communities.
The theme for the Peer Mediation Training is “Peer Mediation for Peer Solutions”.
The first week (July 6 – July 10) was conducted at Pamela Kay High School – located in Virginia, Montserrado County.
The first day of training beginning, began on July 6, 2009. Upon our arrival at the school, we were met by both the principal, some members of the teaching staffs, and also the awaiting students.
The Principal, Mr. Titus Korngor then escorted us to one of the largest classes in the school – where he quickly introduced us to the awaiting audience. Among the local staff of the Center for Peace Education was Justin Ralston, an international volunteer, from Washington DC who was a guest at the Center for Peace Education.
The Peer Mediation Class started at 9am and ended at 12pm. At 12:00pm we break for lunch and some of the students returned for the second session which was optional and had to deal with Job Skills Development Training. This session runs from 12:30pm – 1:30pm.
In conformity with our plan on the 10th of July 2009, the first week of teaching ended at Pamela Kay.
At the end of training, students were driven to form themselves into Peer Medication Network Groups of five according to their locations. The objective of the Peer Mediation Network Group is to resolve disputes / conflicts peacefully amongst their peers – thus, promoting the Culture of Peace. In addition, students also wanted to stay in contact with their peers who are becoming practitioners in the field of Peer Mediation. The Peer Mediation Network Groups are part of the Center for Peace Education.

The Vacation Peace Education School is in full gear. After the preliminary results from the baseline survey on the causes and level of violence in schools, the data reveals that students lack the basic skills needed to sense the symptoms of conflict and the investigative skills needed to resolve common conflicts in their communities, schools, families, and amongst their peers peacefully.
As a result, the Center for Peace Education has embarked on a Six-Week Peer Mediation Training to be conducted in six different schools located in six different communities.
The theme for the Peer Mediation Training is “Peer Mediation for Peer Solutions”.
The first week (July 6 – July 10) was conducted at Pamela Kay High School – located in Virginia, Montserrado County.
The first day of training beginning, began on July 6, 2009. Upon our arrival at the school, we were met by both the principal, some members of the teaching staffs, and also the awaiting students.
The Principal, Mr. Titus Korngor then escorted us to one of the largest classes in the school – where he quickly introduced us to the awaiting audience. Among the local staff of the Center for Peace Education was Justin Ralston, an international volunteer, from Washington DC who was a guest at the Center for Peace Education.
The Peer Mediation Class started at 9am and ended at 12pm. At 12:00pm we break for lunch and some of the students returned for the second session which was optional and had to deal with Job Skills Development Training. This session runs from 12:30pm – 1:30pm.
In conformity with our plan on the 10th of July 2009, the first week of teaching ended at Pamela Kay.
At the end of training, students were driven to form themselves into Peer Medication Network Groups of five according to their locations. The objective of the Peer Mediation Network Group is to resolve disputes / conflicts peacefully amongst their peers – thus, promoting the Culture of Peace. In addition, students also wanted to stay in contact with their peers who are becoming practitioners in the field of Peer Mediation. The Peer Mediation Network Groups are part of the Center for Peace Education.

Vacation Peace Education School

2009-07-12T13:57:00.000-07:00

I have received many calls and emails asking about update about the blog. I am sorry, that it has taken me a while to keep you updated. For the past few months, I have been engaged with conducting a baseline survey in several schools. I was trying to learn about the causes of conflict and the levels of violence on campus.

Preliminary results from the survey shows that students lack the basic skills needed to sense the symptoms of conflict and the investigative skills needed to resolve these conflicts peacefully among their peers.

As a result, the Center for Peace Education has organized 3 different intensive workshops all running concurrently. First, we developed 6, one-week peer mediation workshops for students. It runs Monday – Friday for 3 ½ hours, typically in the morning. Second, we have a 1 ½ hour workshop in the afternoon where we provide job development training and help students write resumes, fill out application forms, and develop interview skills. This also runs Monday – Friday. Finally, we have a 6-week training course for teachers to teach peace education. This runs for 3 hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. I have been working a 10 hour shift a day. It is challenging, but I am VERY happy that students and teachers are learning the skills, knowledge, and attitude necessary to resolve conflict peacefully.
I will do my best to keep you posted on the development of the skills which the students have acquired.

The Center for Peace Education is pleased to welcome Justin Ralston as it First International Volunteer. Justin is currently helping facilitate the 3 different workshops being conducted through the Vacation Peace Education School.

Visit to the Ministry of Education – Liberia

2009-06-18T11:25:00.000-07:00

Before developing a peace education curriculum for Liberia grade schools, I thought it wise to visit the Ministry of Education to inform them about my mission in Liberia. I met the Attorney for the Ministry of Education who informed me that they had a joint Memorandum of Understand with UNESCO / UNHCR to develop and teach Peace, Human Rights, and Citizenship Education in Liberia.

I congratulated the Attorney and asked, if a curriculum was developed? If so, then there was no need for me to reinvent the wheel. He told me, however, to just go ahead with my work.

I then informed the Attorney that the first thing to do before developing a curriculum was to conduct a baseline survey in schools in order to know and identify the causes of violent behavior and measure the extent to which it has affected students’ daily lives. This baseline survey will not only include interview questionnaires for students and teachers, but more importantly, will also have focus group discussions with the students and staff.

Second, the survey results will be entered into a statistical program to record and analyze all the findings from the field. After the data is analyzed, a curriculum could be developed to address those root causes of violence and its impact within the schools.

The next step is to establish a pilot project to test the curriculum in a few schools. After that, formative evaluations should be conducted throughout the school year to determine if the curriculum is meeting it goals. In short, I informed the Attorney, that the above steps were some of the methods needed in order to develop a successful Peace Education Curriculum for Liberia. The Attorney then informed me that I was doing the right thing and encouraged me to continue with my work. The Attorney promised to introduce me to the Minister of Education once I am done with the curriculum.

Over the next few weeks, I will keep you posted of the on the various steps which I will be undertaking in order to develop a Peace Education Curriculum for Liberia.

Peace is just not the absence of war and violence

2009-06-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

During the month of May, I met with several youth organizations from various communities which included , Keakor, Banjor, Jartu, Moulton Corner, Parker Corner, Gbonkou, Pinyopukosa, Virginia, Po River, Island Clinic, Tweh Farm, St. Paul Bridge, Hotel Africa, Ray Hill Field, and VOA Camp 1.

I informed the youth about my mission of creating a Peace Education Curriculum for Liberia. That it was all about the love for country that I returned home to help in the reconstruction of war-ravaged Liberia.

The youths were excited and they commended me on my bold effort to be a part of the reconstruction process in a special way (see attached pictures)

Notwithstanding, the youths were quick to point out that they have many serious problems ranging from lack of self-esteems to a sense of belonging. Moreover, the youths pleaded with me not to only focus in the classrooms, but even more importantly, to also focus in their various communities.

I assured the youths that I was going to do my best to organize a community youth peacemakers club – to help with conflict sensitive related issues.

At the end of the meeting, I argued them to return to their communities and become a peace ambassador – by practicing and living a nonviolent lifestyle.

Money not only measure of success

2009-05-15T14:21:00.000-07:00

Sitting here and developing questionnaires so as to conduct a survey for Peace Education Curriculum Development in Liberia, a former co-worker, in Washington, DC Maryna sent me this newspaper story, which I would like to share with you.
http://www.sunnewspapers.net/articles/edStory.aspx?articleID=434403

Liberia Most Important Resources... its youthful human capital

2009-05-02T00:36:00.000-07:00

“My name is Matthew…. I was crawling when my mother died….then at age of seven my father died…. at eight, I became known as small boy soldier.”
Handsome and innocent as he could be with a bright shining smile, with his head bowed, and as he rubbed his feet and hands against each other, Matthew narrated his short life story as an ex-combatant and a child growing up without his parents (see picture attached).

In February of 1999, a group of Liberian refugees residing in Guinea organized themselves into a rebel group called Liberians United for Reconciliation Development (LURD) headed by its leader Mr. Sekou D. Conneh. With support from Guinea, by May of 2003, LURD forces were on the outskirts of Monrovia and everyone was rushing to the central part of the city to seek refuge.

Among the people rushing to the central part of the city were eight-year old Matthew and his grandmother, who was now his guardian. Matthew and his folks arrived at a displacement camp in central Monrovia where they sought refuge. While at the displacement camp, a day or two later, Matthew’s uncle went missing. So, his grandmother decided to leave the camp in search of her son and left Matthew in the care of his cousin also living in the displacement camp. A few days later, the cousin decided to go and look for her husband but she never returned.

Without food, guidance, or help in the displacement camp, Matthew decided to venture out in search of food. Outside of the camp, Matthew was order arrested, tied, and beaten by Charles Taylor government troops in June 2003. While in the process of being tied and beaten, the troop commander Gen. Michael High Grade, ordered that Matthew should not be tied or beaten, but rather be placed in the back of his pickup truck. A few hours later during his patrol at various frontlines of the battle ground, Matthew was taken to the military base. While at the military base, he slept on the floor, on tables, or cardboard, not knowing if he would wake up the next day to tell his story.

“Every night, I only sleep for small time, because we were going to the battlefront all the time”. Matthew said his main job was military potter carrying ammunition. Once the troops are exchanging fire on the frontlines, “I hide under the bridge, behind big big buildings, because I do not want to die”. During the war, Matthew witnessed atrocity after atrocity. Civilians escaping from the war were usually harassed, beaten, and their possessions were taken away from them. Civilians suspected of being enemies were also molested without any due process of the law. Women refusing to be gang raped by rebels were also killed. Rebels refusing to take command from their senior officers were also killed. This was the life of 14-year old Matthew who was eight at the time.

As he narrated his life story, he kept his head bowed, and rubbed his feet against each other while playing with his fingers, rarely making any eye contact. As I looked into the eyes of young Matthew, I saw a child who life was stolen, corrupted, and abused. Today, Matthew knows nothing except violence and war, made evident as he listed the different kinds of weapons and rebel tactics.

When the Liberian civil war cease fire was signed in August of 2003, General Michel High Grade took Matthew to his home in the oldest Congo town on the outskirts of Monrovia. At his home, Matthew was cleaning and sweeping from before dawn until late at night. He was ill-treated, beaten, and not well fed as Matthew recalled. Life was miserable for young Matthew. A few months later, he recalled “one morning, Michel High Grade give me $60.00 dollars (equivalent $1.00 USD) to buy him some bread”. As Matthew made his way out of the house into the streets, he knew that this was the only chance he had to escape the wrath of his oppressor.

“As soon as I was far from the house, I started running to red-light market (a commercial area on the outskirts of Monrovia known for commercial parking lots). When I get to red-light market, I started asking for Duala market (a commercial area also on the outskirt of Monrovia, but closer to Matthew’s grandmother house). I used $30.00 for transportation. At first, I did not know where I was, but when I got closer to Duala Market, I started to know the area. When I arrived to Duala, I used the balance $30.00 dollars to buy me some bread because I was hungry. Then I started walking to St. Paul Bridge community to my grandmother house (about 25 min walk). While on the way, I saw my aunty, who took me to my grandmother house.” I asked Matthew, if he was afraid that one day Gen. Michel High Grade will come looking for him for his money, since he was a thieve. “I am not afraid. I just could not take it anymore. I was really suffering. I was going to die.”

Today, Matthew has been reunited with his grandmother for approximately five years. The grandmother is unemployed, without social services (e.g., food stamps, Medicare, rental assistance) life is very difficult. Matthew’s grandmother cannot afford his school registration, materials (books, pens, pencils, clothes) lunch, let alone transportation.

I asked Matthew if he knew any of his friends who were ex-combatants. “Yes I know some of my friends who were rebels”. Matthew then walked into his community and came back with one of his friends called Larry. The same story as Matthew, but he was fighting on the opposite side, LURD headed by Sekou D. Conneh.

Today, there are many Matthews, Larrys, Marys, and Sarahs all across Liberia. Throughout their short lives, all they have known is war and violence. Their minds are the template of terror. As I looked into the eyes of these children, I see nothing but a group of innocent kids who are suffering from the violence either as perpetrators or as victims. This generation is a lost generation which is longing for a group identity, in fact a national identify, which I strongly believe a peaceful Liberia and the world at large can provide.

Can you spell your name? With his head bowed, Mathew replied in a soft voice saying “No”. Do want to go to school? For the first time during our conversion, Matthew looked directly into my eyes with a big smile and said, “I really want to go to school”. I then asked why? “I want to be like you, to help children.” I then, told Matthew that I will do my best to get few university students and high school graduates in the community who will help to tutor him and other children like him in the community to get ready for the fall semester.

In addition to preparing these students for their fall entrance in various schools, I will also introduce them to the concept of the peace education. By making them to understand that we all make mistakes, but even more importantly, teaching them ways on how to manage anger, problem solving, to be a better listener, understanding the felling of others, appreciation of the environment, acceptance of diversity, fairness, the cause and effect of hate words, awareness of right and wrong, awareness of the symptoms of conflict, hence, teaching them how to live a peaceful or non-violence life through peace songs, dance, arts, and theater.

As I take on this challenge, I will need your support spiritually, morally, or financially to help me through. Thank you so much for your generous contribution in making this noble cause a success.

Orientation To My New Office In LIB

2009-04-29T01:13:00.000-07:00

I went to office on Monday dress up and ready to hit the ground running (picture is attached). Currently, the Center for Peace Education is functioning as a division under Aid for the Needy Development Program (ANDP) – a local non-governmental organization with its head office located at VOA Camp (1), Brewerville, on the outskirts of Monrovia. ANDP provides nutritional supplement for malnourish children and their parents.

At my new office, I was introduced to ANDP staff and given a tour of the facilities. I was struck when I walked into the ward of malnourished children and the parents. As I glanced into the faces of these parents, I saw nothing but frustration and depression. In addition, they are traumatized, especially those who were sexually harassed, became pregnant, and decided to keep the baby.

Some of the parents are in their teens, thus, having limited knowledge of parenthood. These parents are teens in fact who were still living with their parents. Most of them are elementary and junior high school dropouts, leaving them without the prerequisite skills for the work place.

The nurses at the ANDP therapeutic feeding center informed me that some teenage mothers sometimes drop off their children at their parent’s home and flee to unknown destinations, out of fear and inability to provide finical support. Sadly, some of the fathers are teenagers themselves living with their parents, making it difficult for them to take care of themselves, let alone their own child.

On the other hand, some fathers are adults who do not want to be identify with the child’s mother because they are afraid, thinking that they could be arrested by the government for the pregnancy of a minor. And some of the fathers are married, and as such, are afraid to show their support for the child. So they keep their distance away from the mothers to protect their marriages, resulting in a lack of financial and moral support.

This is the current condition at ANDP’s Therapeutic Feeding Center - the space of my new office (picture is attached). Such conditions have caused the parents to become traumatized, neglected, depressed, and lonely. They are confused and have become an easy access for violent behavior to the point where they beat on their malnourished children.

In light of this present condition, The Center for Peace Education will also establish a Peace Education and Trauma Alleviation program for Parents of Malnourished Children. This program will be designed to foster self-esteem and civility, responsible choices among parents that will strengthen the bonds between child and parent. By nourishing those principles and values for sustainable growth, then peaceful co-existence and development may occur.

Meet and Greet:

2009-04-27T05:39:00.000-07:00

The next few days (March 24 – 29, 2009) were spent meeting with my family members and friends and making telephone calls. Explaining and discussing why I was back in the country. Basically, it was just a time of relaxation and fellowship. Some brought traditional African gifts (palm wine), chickens (see attached picture), and prayed for God’s blessings upon my endeavor – the establishment of a Peace Education Program for Liberia.

Also while home during the week, I begin to observe children of grade school age just wandering around the neighborhood without being in school. I wanted to know why these children were not in school, since the government has made primary and elementary school free in all public schools. My sister and cousins then informed me that these children do not have the financial means to pay for their registration fees or buy their school materials (books, uniforms, shoes), lunch, let alone transporting themselves to school. So, I decided to select one of the youth randomly from among the group. It happened to be a boy. He told me his name was Matthew. Then I asked him why he wasn’t in school. He replied, “I do not have the money”. I asked Matthew to visit me over the weekend so we could better discuss about his school situation.

With unemployment levels in the formal sector estimated to be around 80% of the population, it is difficult for the poor to afford their basic human needs (food, safe drinking water, health care) let alone sending their children to schools. Ordinary citizens cannot afford a decent place to call a home. Most of them were uprooted from their homes which were destroyed during the war. Today, they are known as internally displaced people without a place to call a home.

Let’s take my case for example. My parent’s home was completely destroyed by Charles Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia in 1990. My mother and sisters fled to Sierra Leone where they sought refuge. Upon returning to Liberia from Sierra Leone in 1997, my mother and sisters had nowhere to call a home. They lived in a displaced hut. For four years, I sought assistance from friends in United States who helped me to construct a two bed room home for my mother. A special “Thank You” to Bea from Door County, Wisconsin who basically financed the construction. Indeed, there are many displaced people who do not have a “Ebenezer” in their lives, who do not have a area to sleep, they are unemployed; as a result, they cannot afford the school fees for their children? For now, most parent first priority is finding food for their children.

The reality on the ground has created a condition where in the minds of the youths is an ideal workshop for violence – without formal education, without lessons of peace education. Notwithstanding, I believe “Yes We Can Change This Condition” by helping out one school child at a time….

The Long Trip Home

2009-04-24T10:44:00.000-07:00

The United flight from Washington landed at Brussels International Airport. I had a six hour layover after eight hours of flight time. I boarded the flight at 12:45pm Brussels time; hoping to depart at 1pm. Unfortunately, there was mechanical problem that caused the flight to depart at 2:30pm. After seven hours, the flight landed in Abidjan, the Ivory Coast to drop off and pick off passengers.
As the flight landed in the Ivory Coast, it brought back vivid memories, knowing that Abidjan was the last city I lived in as a refugee before traveling to the USA for studies. Now I was departing Abidjan to Liberia on a jet, not on foot, as I did when I entered the Ivory Coast seeking refuge. On the flight, I was not interrogated, harassed, beaten, tied, humiliated, as it was done to me by rebels forces when I entered the Ivory Coast from Liberia as a refugee. Instead, I was sitting comfortably on a 747 jet from Abidjan to Liberia. As I thought about my return deeply, there was nothing I could do, but rather close my eyes tightly as I held to my seat, and silently screamed in my belly, in my head, through my feet, in fact through my entire being. As I sat there for 30 min reminiscing, I slowly opened my eyes to a new self, knowing full well that I was a new person – and more importantly someone with a formal education to help build a peaceful Liberia.
As I ponder on those hopeless days in the refugee camps, in search of food to eat and a place to sleep, it reinvigorates my strength and gives me hope to know what a blessings it is for me, to give of myself in search of genuine and lasting peace for Liberia. Those experiences in various refugee camps across West Africa were ones that I strongly hope the future generations of Liberia will not encounter- or any children of the world.
At 10:30pm Liberian time, the airline crew announced that the flight will be landing in 20 minutes. I kept my eyes opened looking through the windows, thinking about those beautiful landing at nights in Washington DC, Tampa, New York, or Chicago. It was not so, there were few lights here and there, except for the airport.
I got my luggage and headed for a place I will call home for a long time. I arrived at the house that I am renting which is in complete darkness (no electricity). For the first time, in a long time, I was going back to live in darkness. My cousins and sister helped me placed my things in my room. We talked for few hours discussing life in America and Liberia. Then I proceeded to the bathroom to take a shower, where I do not have a basin or bathtub, because I cannot afford the funds to individually bring a private sewer system to my home.
In the bathroom, I put my bath water into the bucket and used my hands to dip the water from the bucket onto my body. I slept safe and sound that night. I woke up the next morning realizing that I was finally home when I could not switch on my cable television. Notwithstanding, I strongly hope that by planting the seeds of peace now, “Liberia Will Harvest a Peaceful Tomorrow”. This is a fact!!! This is what I believe!!! Please help me make this a reality.

Oh! This Day has Finally Arrived/Heading Home

2009-04-23T03:46:00.000-07:00

March 22, 2009; I arrived at Washington DC Dulles International Airport with my travelling bags headed for a place I called “sweet home”. As I drove past where I received my first traffic violation for speeding; where I first went to church, where I first got off and on the Metro rail, the Capitol Building, the White House, the Washington national’s baseball and basketball team stadiums– I was filled with mixed emotions, but still very excited.

I arrived at the Airport by 4pm, went through with checking my luggage, and waited few minutes before going through security. As I approached the security checkpoint, I began to shed tears, knowing that I was finally leaving the United States. To leave a country which I have come to call home for the past 10 years was something difficult to do. Knowing full well that I was traveling to a country barely emerging from 14 years of conflict was a difficult reality to accept.

As I prepared myself to board the flight, I knew that life would never be the same. However, the joy of returning home to contribute my own little part towards Liberia’s post-conflict reconstruction efforts was worth the sacrifice. To serve as a peace educator, investing in Liberia’s most important human resource – its youthful population – in order to reap a peaceful future nation was a challenge that I personally refused to give up.

Last Three Weeks In The States

2009-04-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

Well, the day I have been anticipating and planning for has finally come. I’m headed back home to Liberia. My last few weeks in the US were busy and enjoyable as I traveled across the country to say farewell and tell people about my mission.
My first stop on my trip took me to Appleton, Wisconsin where I met with friends, who taught me about Football and initiated me into the Green Bay Hall of Fame Fan Club. It became so ironic that over the years, when I tell people that I am a Green Bay fan, they looked at me, like I am from a different planet. How can a black African like you say that you are a Green Bay fan? How do you know about Green Bay? Do you even know where Green Bay is located? Have you ever lived there during the winter season? My answer is usually, a resounding YES!! I have been to several Green Bay games when the team used to play in Milwaukee before moving to Green Bay. In fact, for the past ten years, I have spent every summer vacation in Ephraim, Door County, Wisconsin, where I also visited for a couple of days before flying to Florida.
In Tampa, FL, my next stop, my schoolmate and friend, Byron, picked me up from the airport and we drove to Tallahassee. On March 5, 2009, I spoke to students at Florida State University at the Oglesby Student Union (poster is attached on the blog). While in Tallahassee, I spent my time with various Liberians including Zinnah and Eric who were very helpful and encouraging. Saturday I travelled to Punta Gorda, Florida and on Sunday, March 8, I spoke at St .Mary Primitive Baptist Church. Two days later the pastor informed me that one of his members called him to inform him that her daughter was inspired by my testimony and has committed herself to doing the right thing at all times. It brought tears to my eyes, knowing that my life story is an encouragement to someone.
On Wednesday, March 11, 2009, I was the guest speaker at the Port Charlotte Rotary Club, in Port Charlotte, Florida. And finally on Thursday, March 12, 2009, I was the guest speaker at the Punta Gorda United Methodist Church’s Women Circle meeting. The Circle members were very great. They showered me with lots of love, not just in words, but in deeds. They also prayed for me and asked God’s blessings upon my life during this endeavor. That same evening, I give a presentation to the students, faculty, and staff at my old college, Edison State College. It was full of surprises as I ran into my former professors, schoolmates, and classmates, including the retired Provost, Dr. Yorgar.
The following day, Friday, March 13, I flew back to DC. Then, on Sunday, March 15, 2009, I had a going away celebration to say ‘thank you’ to friends who had made my stay in the United States truly enriching. Indeed, a life full of remarkable experiences and memories which I would never forget. From the depth of my heart, I sincerely want to say ‘thank you’ to all those who made the celebration a success. Special thanks to my friends who prepared the food, provided the drinks, and music.
Overall, I truly appreciate the kind words of encouragement and gifts from friends and supporters I received along the way. They have only encouraged me to continue on this journey. If I may interject, some were skeptical and advised that I stay until I have the needed funds to undertake this endeavor.
As I get things set up, I will likely have inconsistent access to voicemail and email so don’t be discouraged if my next post takes a while. I’ve attached links to a newspaper article about one of my speaking engagements in Florida, a YouTube link to a short clip of my going away party, and several photos taken during my last few weeks in DC.
ALways Peace!!!

Speaking Link, You Tube Link, & Several Photos

2009-04-17T03:37:00.000-07:00

I’ve attached links to a newspaper article about one of my speaking engagements in Florida, a YouTube link to a short clip of my going away party, and several photos taken during my last few weeks in DC.

Speech at Edison State College - Punta Gorda, Florida:

http://www.sunonline.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=U0NDLzIwMDkvMDMvMTQjQXIwMTUwMA==&Mode=HTML&Locale=english-skin-custom)

Going Away Celebration Dance Floor:
( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0B33LNPios)