The training that was held at Kenyatta University on 23^rd October 2013 at Kenyatta University Business centre from 2-5pm, was aimed at introducing a greater portion of Kenyatta University, Nairobi Youths and select organizations to the art of meditation and inner peace development.

Invited guest speakers were Mr. Kelvin Keya of United Nations Volunteers (Chief Guest) Dr. Aketch Global Peace Foundation, Dr. Donald Thomas Alternatives to Violence, Mr. Joshua Nzuki UNESCO Youth Education Commission, and Mr. Richard Odongo of YoungLife Kenya. Youth Tv and Global Social Media also came to capture the event. Ms Barbara held the Skype training from Thailand for one hour. The dean of students had welcoming remarks to the session.

The participants who attended the event totaled 245 with a majority coming from Kenyatta University, University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University, and youths from the public.

The talk talks from the pre-training speakers served to create a great connection to the meditation experience that followed. The post-training speakers dwelt on the value of peace to community services like leadership and volunteer activities.

The meditation experience

The experience was great although interrupted by the internet connection setup. The participants eagerly followed the training, which lasted around 20 minutes. They had awesome experiences to unveil of the event afterwards, as the following had to say:

“At first, I did not know what to do but just followed the speaker before getting really peaceful. It was short-lived however as other thoughts easily came in and I then found it hard to go back to the sweet feeling again.” (Jane Yego Kenyatta University)

“I felt peaceful and calm at first but wondered why we had to say words like “sammaa…” At this point, so many thoughts came to me and I opened my eyes” (Wilson Nderitu Kenyatta University)

“This is my second time and I felt really great during the session except for the occasional noises that would come from outside” (Christie from Uganda)

Ideally, many students who sat at the front had a wonderful experience as I sat there to guide them along with the peace architect. The event was great and from it, I got a list of interested students who wanted us to practice the art occasionally during after school times. We had a list of up to 20 people from around the school and we shall have our training four times every week. We also advertised the AMANI African Fellowship to the audience at the beginning and the end and encouraged others to apply.

I wish to acknowledge the presence of Kenyan Peace rebels who gave me the inspiration to go on when I was so tensed and though I was in this alone. (Timothy, Sandra, and Agnes) I appreciate your presence and input in making the training a success. Tim actually became a technician when we felt we needed one as Agnes often came forward with comments like “kindly explain that what Barbara said in a clearer way.” I appreciate such remarkable input from great people.

The speakers were also impressed with the training and, actually, Peace Club now has three invitations to spread the initiative to United Nations volunteers during the Global South-South Expo at UNEP (http://www.southsouthexpo.org/). Global Peace Foundations also invited us to get more information on how they can help spread peace the “Peace Revolution” way and Young Life want our team to conduct a training on their Nation peace building event slated for later early next month in Nairobi.

We hope to spread the peace, love, and unity to everyone in Kenya and beyond. I am proud of Peace Revolution and I am proud of Aya for introducing me to this idea and for her creative ways of marketing the event when we lacked means. I look forward to working with Aya and Peace Revolution on future peace programs to cultivate the art of peace in Kenya. We truly need it. PIPO

For Pictures of the event and many others

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.440874226021107.1073741827.198207763621089&type=3&uploaded=20

Peace Rebel Dennis Odeny