Peace Caravan

Nairobi, Kenya. May, 2008.

The young people came from different tribes, different religions and different parts of the country.

They traveled through areas where the worst of violence had taken place, stopping in numerous towns as well as camps for those displaced from their homes. Using art and performance to start conversations, they tried to soothe the tension and distrust that exploded between tribes after the December election.

"Basically it's about building relationships within the community," said organizer Rachel Wambui Kung'u. "We're meeting people on the ground and trying to make them dialog so they can start to live together like before."

Before setting off on the caravan, participants had a week of training on peace building, conflict analysis, and intervention techniques.

The group travelled in a big safari bus, carrying tents and sleeping bags for nearly 30 people, plus a small stove and huge cooking pots. They camped in secure areas that had been set up beforehand -- one night on church grounds, another in a school yard.

"It was very positive," Wambui said. "No one was willing to break the ice for people to start talking, that coldness which has been there for the last two or three months. But when we got to the ground, people were saying it's a good initiative and it is welcome."

In one of the camps they went to, the crowd turned hostile and threatened to stone them, according to several participants.

The group managed to calm the local people by apologizing for their intrusion and asking for forgiveness.

Once those in the camp realized the Peace Caravan participants were not from the government, and once they understood the purpose of the caravan, they started talking about what they'd gone through, Wambui said. In her opinion, it wound up being one of the most positive and productive conversations of the entire journey.

The group is planning a follow up trip. "After the caravan we'll go back and rest for some weeks and then go back to see if they're implementing whatever we told them," said 21-year-old Naomi Adhiambo Obuya.

Nasibo Lewano, 22, from Marsabit, said the trip taught her valuable negotiation and people skills. "It's given me a new perception of how to deal with people -- how to give them a dialog, give them space to air their grievances."

"We should not be violent because of elections or the leaders," she added. "We should stick together as Kenyans. All tribes are equal and we are all Kenyans, that's the most important thing."

See photos and read more about the trip at the Peace Caravan slide show