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Organization: Virtues Society of Kenya
The following information may be cited or quoted as long as the source is accurately mentioned and the words are not taken out of context.
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Postal address of organization/institution

Chritico centre
P.O. Box 687, Emuhaya
50100 Kenya

E-mail address of organization/institution

1. danielongayo@yahoo.com  
2. patriciacrossley5@gmail.com

Website address of organization/institution

www.virtuesinkenya.blogspot.com

Telephone of organization/institution

254 (0) 722387263

PRIORITIES: All of the organization's domains of culture of peace activity

EDUCATION FOR PEACE
HUMAN RIGHTS
DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION
UNDERSTANDING, TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY
FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

TOP PRIORITY: The organization's most important culture of peace activity

EDUCATION FOR PEACE

PARTNERSHIPS AND NETWORKS: What partnerships and networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the global movement for a culture of peace?

*  Virtues Society of Kenya is part of the Virtues Project TM worldwide (more then 90 countries) Homebase: Canada. www.virtuesproject.com
   * Cooperation and collaboration with Western Kenya Task Force for Sustainable Healing and Reconciliation (subsequent to the civil unrest 2007-8)

ACTIONS: What activities have been undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence during the ten years of the Decade? If you already made a report in 2005, your information from 2005 will be included in the 2010 report.

*  Registration of Virtues Society Kenya in 2009
   * Website www.virtuesinkenya.blogspot.com started in 2009
   * Collaboration with Tanzania for use of their translations into Swahili
   * Production of dialogues and role plays for the Kenyan context
   * Presentations to local political authorities and to central government ministers
   * Development of a presentation package.
   * Trained over 1000 people in Western Province.
   * 10 active facilitators involved in spreading the Virtues in workshops for schools and communities. Two days (or equivalent) training sessions and short introductions
   * Formation of an on-line group to support each other
   * A deepening organized for deepening and for educating facilitators.
   * One master facilitator supports other Virtues practitioners and the facilitators by coaching and by offering three days deepening during the year.
   * Formation of Virtues Clubs and Peace Keepers in schools and even one hospital
   * Training of clergy in one diocese

PROGRESS: Has your organization seen progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of action and in your constituency during the second half of the Decade?

Schools report an improvement in their discipline, relationships and academic performance. The Provincial Education Officer noted that schools in Western Province who had trained in the Virtues showed far fewer instances of violence and disturbance. In a country where people often solve their problems by burning and destroying, this is significant.

Kenya outlawed the cane in 2004, but it is still often used. Physical abuse of children in schools and families is widespread. Schools that have adopted the Virtues strategies have abandoned the use of the cane and other shaming punishments. Many have formed Peace Keeper squads who have replaced prefects who used to patrol brandishing sticks.

Virtues in Kenya is too new to see any long term outcomes, but there is a huge thirst for training and a lively interest in learning more about the strategies at all levels of society.

OBSTACLES: Has your organization faced any obstacles to implementing the culture of peace and nonviolence? If so, what were they?

*  Africa has the advantage over Western countries in that society is still largely faith based. People have no difficulty in accepting a spiritual premise for the Virtues teachings. Despite this, corruption is endemic and widespread, encouraging a culture of mistrust and envy. It is hard to define who is my neighbour. Prevalent culture allows the lynching of suspected thieves, bribing of police officers and suppression of women’s rights. There are many cultural taboos to overcome in establishing equity and justice
   * The major obstacle to the work in spreading the Virtues is that of funding. Facilitators give their time freely to train, but do need their transport costs and refreshments. A few handouts are also required. Very poor communities in the rural areas cannot afford even these minimal costs
   * Although cell phone technology is widespread, communications are generally difficult. Few people use email or the internet on a regular basis. Roads are in dreadful state of repair. Travel is slow and costly. Except in the larger towns, it is difficult to bring people together for information or training.

PLANS: What new engagements are planned by your organization in the short, medium and long term to promote a culture of peace and nonviolence?

To create a culture of peace

Short term:

   * to reach more and more people to use the 5 strategies and the vitues by continuing with presentations, workshops and trainings.
   * To offer follow up sessions in local areas to share insights, problems and successes in using the Virtues strategies

     Medium term

   * to reach politicians, the ministries and the municipalities in order to get sponsoring for projects in schools, both elementary and secondary
   * to establish as a Virtues school one school which has just opened in the central town with Kindergarten
   * to present the virtue of the week on local vernacular radio
   * to connect with companies to ascertain interest in implementing the Virtues approach.

     Long term:

   * To form more facilitators both within and outside Western Province and spread to other areas of Kenya
   * To promote the inclusion of the Virtues teachings into teacher training and universities

GLOBAL MOVEMENT: How do you think the culture of peace and nonviolence could be strengthened and supported at the world level??

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Organization: Virtues Society of Kenya

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