Kamukunji residents have welcomed the recent launch of Kumekucha, a social healing program designed to promote the process of community healing and social reconciliation among Kenya’s diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
Kumekucha is a ‘new dawn’ geared towards highlighting sensitive issues and bringing them to light so that they can be resolved amicably without fi nger pointing. The local administration, faith-based heads, community workers and youth representatives all had a chance to share their concerns.
The Program O cers, Zahra Juma and Nderitu Mwangi, both with a counselling psychology background, organized the training in Pumwani. Kumekucha has been in Pumwani for some months.
It is an initiative of Green Strings Network (GSN), headed by Chief Executive O cer Angi-Yoder Maina who is a peace practitioner. It aims at countering violent extremism be it ethical, religious or economically driven by using Trauma-Informed Resilience (TIR) framework. Angi witnessed the awarding of certifi cates to participants, something she envisioned will equip trainees with tools to enhance a strong fabric in a traumatized society. The 5-day workshop was held at Nomad Hotel in Eastleigh in late November last year.
It highlighted key elements such as stress and trauma awareness, practice, security, relationship, identity, resilience and leadership. At least 30 community leaders both from NonGovernmental Organizations and Government department, underwent the training that aimed at bringing some healing to community members.
According to Kumekucha Program Manager, Boniface Njeresa, the GSN has developed an ‘Embodied Resilience’ which is a trauma-informed approach. It draws on the fi elds of neurobiology, psychology, restorative justice, confl ict transformation, peacebuilding and spirituality.
The approach confronts the past and injustices in a safe and empowering way thus increasing both self and collective awareness and resilience. Njeresa reiterated that Art is an essential component in helping the wounded open up and warm up to a meaningful discussion and reconciliation. The trainer of trainers, Anisa Menza (Kilifi County), was among the community facilitators. She taught participants on strategies to use in problem-solving.
With an experience spanning two decades, Menza trained the participants in various ways of the healing process. “The long-held grievances, grudges and situations of hopelessness have held us back for years,” Menza said.
Various modes such as dialogue, story-telling and photo-sharing were used to ensure that even the less educated are at per with the rest. This was aimed at healing the community psychologically, biologically and socially and not just individuals. The training was timely given the extra-judicial killings witnessed in the past few years. Urban poor neighbourhoods were not spared in the loss of lives especially of young people.
Youth found themselves on the wrong side of the law. The stigma associated with Pumwani neighbourhood, the trauma of losing beloved ones and the economic marginalization are some of the negativities that burden the entire community. The vicious cycle of poverty can be stopped by clipping the cycle of violence. The training carried out in the area was essential for trauma-informed transformational healing.
The Kumekucha initiative is indeed new dawn that the volunteering Community Facilitators (CFs) will use to empower the community to know what hails the people and how to heal from it. The training enlightened members of the community and empowered them. Meanwhile, the GSN’s Ustawi Program accommodates organizations that show interest in adapting their model of Trauma-Informed Resilience (TIR). This will blend well with Kumekucha initiative.
