GBM Launches "Peace Tent" for Healing and Reconciliation

by Wanjira Mathai
January 22, 2008 3:18pm
Filed under:
The Green Belt Movement today launched an initiative aimed at facilitating healing and reconciliation following almost 3 weeks of inter-communal ethnic clashes, where members of various communities attacked members of other communities, especially those perceived to have voted for the President in the just concluded and controversial Presidential Elections.

In her statement during the launch, Prof Maathai pointed out that, “The resurgence of ethnic clashes is particularly painful and frustrating. It is a beast that appears especially during General Elections… Understanding the root causes of these clashes would help those who ask the question ‘Why would Kenyans who have lived together as neighbors suddenly turn on each other with such hatred and destructive intent?’”

She added that “there can be no healing and reconciliation until and unless the truth is laid bare and justice is administered. This time round we, as Kenyans, must not sweep the truth under the carpet. We must let it be known!”

With this statement (full text in is posted on the homepage under 'GBM in the News'), the tent was declared open to the public. Over the next days, weeks and probably months, the tent will host various activities aimed at bringing about a better understanding of the current situation, its genesis, and how we can begin the healing process. The first GBM sponsored event is planned for next week where some of those affected in the clashes are expected to testify as to what happened. At the tent GBM will also be collecting signatures for solidarity with the victims of the clashes.

The Peace Tent is likely to be the beginning of a life-changing process. Most important, it is hoped that those who come to the tent will find peace in the knowledge that “someone” is listening and healing is a real possibility. Thank you, GBM!

Comments

  • 1.

    Comment by brichards2 on January 27, 2008 11:29am:

    Ms. Maathai and the Green Belt Movement have proven often that healing is possible. I can only imagine your frustration and want to express encouragement in your lifelong struggle to recapture your beautiful country and continent and the wondrous people who live together there. There is no finger-pointing in your January 22 statement and for that you and your organization are always to be commended not to mention your bravery and sense of responsibility. I wish you success with your Peace Tent forum.

    Betty Richards, U.S.A.
  • 2.

    Comment by matousek on February 3, 2008 4:27pm:

    Despite all the ethnic clashes, the Green Belt Movement is doing incredible work. Keep it up.

    Robert
  • 3.

    Comment by Ruth H-L on February 14, 2008 9:02am:

    Dr. Maathai is a remarkably brave and wise woman. She resists the western desire to offer easy solutions and simplify a complex situation in Kenya. I am grateful for her commitment to the Earth, "our island home." I give thanks to God for her wisdom in understanding the gift that women and the impoverished have to give. And I praise her courage for standing up for excellence rather than expedience and for speaking the Truth, even when it has cost her a great price.
  • 4.

    Comment by shasha12 on February 18, 2008 5:36pm:

    Your intiative for healing is inspirational. If we can imagine what's possible we can then act to bring it about. Thank you for your good work. United we can - Yes We Can!
  • 5.

    Comment by lvannote on February 25, 2008 4:42pm:

    Dear Prof. Maathai,
    I just read your autobiography and I was inspired. My husband also liked it and I intend to pass it on to several people. It is easy to become cynical about the rich and the powerful being incharge and just give up hope that the world can be good and stop destroying the planet. Your life is proof that doing the right thing will payoff eventually. We need hope in the US too. Thank you. I will plant some trees for you. I wish you and your country peace.
  • 6.

    Comment by rlsweeting on February 26, 2008 11:14am:

    Dear Prof. Maathai, I am with you in the Peace Tent.
    Lynn Sweeting
    Bahamas
  • 7.

    Comment by imuthuka on March 17, 2008 12:33am:

    Congratulations GBM fraternity! Your words and actions have touched many lifes. Peace Tent was an enriched shelter to all. It inspired, healed and reconcilled many. Keep up the great spirit!
  • 8.

    Comment by noel on April 9, 2008 7:27am:

    The Peace Tent Initiative, touches the lives of many Kenyans who have been affected by the recent clashes in that it gives them an opportunity to speak out, share their experiences, encourages inter community dialogue and seeks for a people driven solution to lasting peace. Lets Give Peace A Chance.
  • 9.

    Comment by asope on July 3, 2009 9:23am:

    Infact, more times than not, Unbowed sold out almost
    immediately! In February 2007 she spent 10 days launching
    Unbowed with great success in the UK
  • 10.

    Comment by asope on July 3, 2009 9:25am:

    Unbowed has also been published in Italian (Jan '07), and this summer it will be released in Spanish and Dutch
  • 11.

    Comment by asope on July 3, 2009 9:26am:

    Editions in German,Japanese, French, and Finnish are planned for the future the website will soon have news of those dates.
  • 12.

    Comment by wasem on July 6, 2009 4:31am:

    I recently attended a Nobel Laureate symposium at St James Palace in London, where a Memorandum produced emphasised the urgency for action based on scientific evidence on climate change
  • 13.

    Comment by wasem on July 6, 2009 4:32am:

    The debate on whether we should have a local tribunal is healthy, but needs to be resolved to put an end to the issue of the Waki envelope to Kofi Annan
  • 14.

    Comment by amas on July 13, 2009 6:33am:

    The green belt took thr initiative for action against the evil war being held around the world
  • 15.

    Comment by miltonk on July 13, 2009 9:34am:

    wow thats really good post to know and the points you said are astonishing
  • 16.

    Comment by kimpuu on July 17, 2009 5:23am:

    The establishment was good its nice too see such a blog that article was nice thanks for post.
  • 17.

    Comment by zaron on July 18, 2009 3:25am:

    The resurgence of ethnic clashes is particularly painful and frustrating. It is a beast that appears especially during General Elections.
    Regards,
  • 18.

    Comment by zaron on July 18, 2009 3:31am:

    I did love the work done to maintain the peace in the world and I wish to see the peaceful world in future.
    Regards,
  • 19.

    Comment by koluu on July 20, 2009 5:37am:

    Unity is the key for prosperity. Our future too is key and we must conserve it or die.. Lets spare our environment and save our childrens future!! arise and stand for Trees, they form our purpose for priority..
  • 20.

    Comment by koluu on July 20, 2009 5:37am:

    Thanks for sharing information i like to join in your community
  • 21.

    Comment by kristen30 on July 22, 2009 6:59am:

    I will plant some trees for you. I wish you and your country peace.
  • 22.

    Comment by kristen30 on July 22, 2009 7:02am:

    Lets Give Peace A Chance.
  • 23.

    Comment by zaron on July 22, 2009 7:31am:

    I hope that those who come to the tent will find peace in the knowledge that “someone” is listening and healing is a real possibility.
    Regards,
  • 24.

    Comment by jikki on July 23, 2009 5:53am:

    The clashes are there in the world but it needs some time to overcome this. Lets wait and see the better world.
    Regards,
  • 25.

    Comment by gejiko on August 3, 2009 1:06am:

    Listening to a radio Advert that gives a brief history of Wangari Maathaiand the Green Belt Mvmt before going head on to the product being advertised fills me with pride.
  • 26.

    Comment by gdsfhg on August 4, 2009 5:29am:

    The article was really nice and I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
    Regards,
    Opeth
  • 27.

    Comment by rioka on August 11, 2009 8:49am:

    I am inspired by Professor Wangari Maathai's environmental achievements, and hope to have the chance to listen to her speech one day. At school, our Science for Humanity Club plans organize a tree planting event in line with The Green Belt Movement's initiatives
  • 28.

    Comment by jilla on August 14, 2009 7:04am:

    this concept is really good and tress must be planted to save the environment.
    regards,
    jilla
  • 29.

    Comment by zacmaloy on August 17, 2009 12:25am:

    This is exactly what the world needs now, not war. Well done GBM! I saw some articles similar to this and I am excited to see more of them in your website, I will refer this site to all my and hopefully more and more people realize how important peace is and not to resume war anymore. Thank you again
  • 30.

    Comment by venky on September 24, 2009 9:37am:

    Its an nice article...I agree that some things probably could be done differently and to greater effect...Thanks for sharing..... Regards,
  • 31.

    Comment by farazakan on October 26, 2009 7:17am:

    Well i belive that there can be no healing and reconciliation until and unless the truth is laid bare and justice is administered. This time round we, as Kenyans, must not sweep the truth under the carpet. We must let it be known.
    Regards
  • 32.

    Comment by shopalu on December 16, 2009 1:02pm:

    It is a shame that everyone can not learn to live in peace this day and age. Even in our own more civilized cultures and countries, war and dissension is still rampant.
  • 33.

    Comment by jeff kiprop on June 9, 2010 3:39am:

    Thank u professor Wangari Mathai in spearding Environmentalism here in Kenya.But we need administration at local i.e Divisional level for better management of natural resource.Voice our concern to the government especiaally NEMA

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