Peace Education Workshop: Day 2

The second day of the workshop, the UMC Human Rights Monitor led the discussion about specific human rights declarations, as well as the relevance of the Liberian Constitution. Many documents were introduced and discussed in detail, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and the Liberian Constitution.

Participants worked together to understand the language of the various documents. They also were able to have an open conversation on how their own country followed through on these declarations and conventions, as well as addressed the obstacles within themselves and their community to addressing equality.

While these declarations and conventions are signed by the Liberian government, the participants felt the fulfillment of all rights for persons with disabilities is not being met.

This day brought much, somewhat difficult, information, but the consensus was that without having the knowledge of their own rights, they could not move forward as a country and as a people; cementing the fact that they must teach this information to their students.

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As I've said in earlier posts, one of the things I wanted to make sure I provided during the workshop was food. With the support of local churches, family, and friends, we were able to provide food in the morning and at midday. For two weeks, I knew that my friends in Liberia were eating more than one meal a day. This helped them to not only live more healthy during those

weeks, but also be able to work and pay attention throughout the workshop. Typically (and I'm sure it started again the day I left), Liberians only eat one meal of rice per day.

There were also leftovers enough to feed some of the students that helped us out, including one student who became my personal photographer for the trip, Mekeh. Mekeh enjoyed taking pictures of himself like this one.

Peace Education Workshop: Day 1

Day 1 of the Peace Education Workshop was spent focused on establishing ground rules and appropriate expectations of all participants, including the facilitators.

All staff from the Hope for the Deaf School and the Human Rights Monitor were in attendance, along with a parent of a student from the Hope School, two older students from the school, and a couple of community members interested in the rights of persons with disabilities.

Discussion the first day was centered around defining "rights," as well as different meanings of violence, and what a "culture of peace" entails. The first day created a foundation on which the rest of the workshop was established.

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That evening, several students from the Hope School stopped by the compound to hang out. The students enjoyed talking with the other teachers in the group-even though the teachers knew little sign. We spent hours talking and playing games, catching up on each others' lives. They still remembered how to play "slap-Jack," which I taught them two years ago. I taught them a new game this year, of which we played almost every day for the remainder of the trip.

Teacher Training 2010

Unlike in 2008, this trip to Liberia, I went with an Illinois Great Rivers Conference teacher training group. There were 4 other teachers, plus the volunteer coordinator. While I conducted the Peace Education Workshop with the Hope for the Deaf School, the other teachers conducted a phonics workshop for teachers from various United Methodist schools in Monrovia. The teachers represented varying years of knowledge and expertise. Three of the teachers were experiencing Liberia for the first time.

The first day we spent visiting the UMC Conference office, meeting with Bishop Innis (pictured in the middle), and resting up from long travel.

I also was able to see many students and directors from the school again after

two years. It was a very happy day.

David showed me the new addition that was built onto the school, pictured below. Their hope is to have it become a central place for their vocational training classes. They would like to have computers available for computer classes, sewing machines for tailor classes, and equipment available for teaching hair braiding.

While they have the building (though it's not completely finished), they do not have the necessary equipment, including access to electricity. Their current building used for classes is becoming fuller-having had an increase of student enrollment within the past two years as well.

Future postings will highlight some of the successes they have had in the past couple of years, as well as some of the challenges they face currently and in the future.

To Liberia and Back

Well, we made it to Liberia safely, and returned safely as well. I had hoped to post a few times while were in Liberia, but unfortunately, we were not able to connect to the internet consistently. Therefore, I will be posting pictures and details about the trip and the workshop in the coming weeks.

Overall, the trip was a success. We were able to conduct the Peace Education Workshop, alongside the UMC Human Rights Monitor, over eight days. Participants were able to receive important materials, information, practice, and food throughout the workshop. In all, there were 20 participants, including teachers, human rights advocates, parents, students, and community members. While I hope that the participants learned many things, the one thing I am most excited about is the renewed commitment between the Human Rights Monitor and the Hope for the Deaf School to work together to advance the rights of persons with disabilities within their country. They realized that, together, they can make a greater impact and have a louder voice; through not only teaching their students about human rights, but also petitioning the community and the government to respect the rights of their students.

When the workshop was not in session, I personally was also able to do more traveling, to see more of the country and to witness the change since I was there in 2008.

Look forward to more pictures and stories of the Peace Education Project and Liberia 2010.