Tanzania - Summer 2008
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Poems for Peace-Tanzania took place in the Summer of 2008. I worked with orphans at Kilimanjaro Kids Care in Himo, Tanzania and 5th, 6th and 7th graders at Royal Junior School in the neighboring town of Njia-Panda. The orphans engaged in games, art projects and minimal writing around the notion of "amani" or peace. Most of the children were on the young side and lacked the English skills necessary to express their ideas in writing. Their native language is Swahili. The treasure was in the process--the creation of pictures and the conversations about peace. When I asked 11-year-old Mary what animal symbolized peace for her, she replied, "A zebra." When I pressed further asking why, she responded, "I like the way that the black and white are next to each other, together." We were holding hands and I lifted our interlaced fingers and asked, "Like this?" With a gentle smile and a squeeze of the hand, she confirmed, "Yes, like this."
I received a warm welcome at Royal Junior School each time I stepped onto campus. Each day, I worked with the children and then met with the School Director, Elizabeth Ndjiki, to discuss all that took place. Although I'm grateful for the many poems, letters, prayers and compositions that I received, I wish I could have captured the spontaneity of what transpired in the classroom. One day, the fifth graders were discussing things that make them feel peaceful. A boy said that he feels peaceful when he sings the National Anthem. When I asked why, he said it was because of the meaning of the words. Other children agreed and added that they feel peace when they sing with others. One child enthusiastically asked, "Would you like us to sing our National Anthem for you?" Of course I said yes. Instantly, the children broke into the most melodious song, full of passion, feeling and pride. Tanzania's National Anthem is about freedom, unity, wisdom and peace and it is evident in the children's writing that they are proud to live in a country that stands for peace.
There are so many stories that I could share, but a deeper beauty is revealed in the children's faces and thoughts. Enjoy. . .
Lauri Hoffman Bunting, creator of Poems for Peace
To view Poems from children in Tanzania please click here
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