Smiles and powerful sharing from participants. (left to right: Kwi Kindness, Suphoj Safe, Justice Johan, Nanik Nurani) Photo: Kins
The 2025 Regional Interfaith Youth Regional Justice and Peace Training is wonderfully coming to full shape. All the US-based participants came early to get used to the time zone and the heat. Caroline and Emma, our Haverford Interns, came on time to witness the PAUD Joglo closing activities. Keaka, an AWP working group member, arrived on the 23rd of May and has been filming and interviewing the people here. He said, “For me, it is hard to imagine that a new world is possible but coming here, I know that it is possible because I see it.”
Kwi and Suphoj arrived yesterday with so much food to share. People were touched witnessing their generosity despite what is happening at the Thai-Burma border. Airstrikes have affected the people through displacement, injuries, and deaths. Upon arriving, Kwi gave a quick update and said, “It is very important to share our story with many people and to encourage others to write it for us. Somehow, we can try to defend ourselves with the weapons but the new way of depicting us as scammers is doing more harm to me. It diminishes the integrity that we have.” (The notorious scam hubs in Myanmar are located at the border).
We are very happy to welcome Bilon from the Mennonite Central Committee – Bangladesh and Sumit from AVP-Queensland. On the 30th, the Filipino participants (Raissa, Princess, Camilo, and Steven) arrived with Ernye and Rachel from Sabah, Malaysia. All twelve participants coming from other countries have arrived in Pati, Indonesia.
It was very touching to see the seven young facilitators teambuilding since 26th June. They took turns practicing, giving and receiving feedback and sorting out materials for the workshop. It was also very interesting to see how the logistics team and the facilitating team interacted and supported one another. Kins, Petrus and Nanik are not facilitating this workshop. They have taken on other roles to support the team.
On Day zero, Peace Place Pati team introduced the place to the participants. In keeping with friendship as a keystone to peace, it is good to know about the buildings and gardens of Rumah Damai (Peace Place). We heard about the physical structure of the place and how the team loves their place and invites everyone to do the same.
Caroline, a Haverford intern, came to me to say, “Thank you for making it possible for us to be together here. I get to talk and hear stories that are not accessible back home.”
We took time for a meeting last Sunday. Attending from left to right: Emma, Petrus, Caroline & Keaka (front center) Photo: Kins