“Planting Peace” is the title of a photo exhibition that embodies the mission and vision of the Piarist Fathers in Cameroon: to sow seeds of peace, education, compassion, resilience, and progress within our communities.
The exhibition features the results of a workshop held recently at the Piarist school in Bamendjou. This workshop emerged from the necessity and belief that peace must be instilled in the minds and hearts of children. Bamendjou, acting as a sanctuary for families displaced by the ongoing conflict in the NW region, faces challenges as many children have been out of school for years due to the conflict, experiencing profound trauma. Sensitizing host community children to their peers’ backgrounds is crucial,
as it fosters the collective seeding of peace.
The workshop, involving 8 displaced children and 8 from the host community, aimed to nurture peace, resilience, unity, and joy. In a serene environment, the children envisioned a world of harmony and compassion, planting seeds of peace in their hearts. Their subsequent reflections revealed a remarkable diversity of perspectives, emphasizing the significance of unity and empathy in coexistence:
Absence of War: Some children perceived peace as the absence of war and conflict. They yearned for a world free from violence and the scars it leaves behind, where the gentle breeze of tranquility prevails.
Peace as Love: A profound realization emerged from several pupils, who equated peace with love. They recognized that peace flourishes when love permeates our thoughts, words, and actions, fostering deep connections and nurturing the human spirit.
Turning to God: Many children expressed the need to turn to God in the pursuit of peace. They acknowledged the divine as a source of guidance, solace, and strength, believing that a world grounded in spirituality can foster lasting peace.
The workshop transformed these young souls, giving them a glimpse of a world ruled by peace. Their diverse perspectives highlight the complexity of peace, woven with threads of harmony, unity, love, and spirituality. Let their voices resonate within us, guiding our pursuit of peace. Together, let’s nurture the seeds they’ve planted, fostering a brighter, harmonious future for Cameroon and beyond.
Download the 'Planting Peace' newsletter, to learn more about the project and exhibition.
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