African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI)
Written by Kelly M., OPFM Peace & Justice Committee
The African Great Lakes Initiative (AGLI) is a not for profit organization created in 1998-1999 by the Friends Peace Teams (FPT). FPT is currently sponsored by 16 yearly Meetings in the United States. AGLI’s specific mission is to promote grassroots peace activities in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Congo. Its focus is on trauma healing and conflict resolution. Some of its activities include running AVP and HROC 3-day workshops so people can learn non-violent conflict resolution and/or healing techniques. It also runs work camps in June and July in which local and international volunteers come to help re-build infrastructure. And, twice a year it brings speakers from Africa to England, America, Canada to inform about their peace making projects. ILYM contacts are Dawn Rubbert and David Zarembka of St Louis Meeting.
ILYM connections: In 2003 or 2004 one of the late teens from Columbia Friends Meeting went to an AGLI work camp in Burundi. He spent most of the time building houses, but part of the process that I found so enlightened was that the program required him to raise his own funds to go there (and not just have his parents pay for him) so that when he arrived he would have had similar experience to the others who would have had to do fund raising in order to participate. I thought this was a good way to promote a level playing field. Applications for this year’s workshops can be gotten from the webpage (see below).
Also, Malesi Kinaro came to the Midwest in fall of 2004 and spoke about her experience with reconciliation. I know she spoke to Blue River Quarterly, Columbia Friends Meeting (and to my Introduction to Peace Studies class at U of Missouri as well as in the evening to the wider Columbia Peace Studies community), and at Clear Creek Meeting. She may have spoken in the Chicagoland area too. She was a very powerful speaker and I am grateful for the chance of having been able to meet her and learn part of her story. A result of this meeting is that I ended up writing an editorial piece about coltan mining to the Columbia Tribune (as part of the monthly UM Faculty, Staff and Graduate Students Concerned about Democracy and Public Knowledge editorial series). And this editorial published in their online version received an international response including organizations in England working to highlight this issue.
African Great Lakes Initiative of the Friends Peace Teams
P. O. Box 189, Kipkarren River 50241 Kenya
Phone in Kenya: 254 (0)726 590 783 in US: 240/543-1172
Office in US:1001 Park Avenue, St Louis, MO 63104 USA 314/647-1287
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There may be openings in their summer workcamps. Spread the word! Here is a description of the 2011 work camp opportunities.
Summer Workcamps in Africa - June 25 - July 30
2011 AGLI Workcamps
BURUNDI & RWANDA
We accept all ages: workcampers have been as young as 8, as old as 84.
Physical & Skill requirements: Good health and willingness to do manual labor.
Construction skills and experience are not necessary
1) Burundi Workcamp – Kamenge
Host Partner: Friends Women’s Association (FWA) – learn more http://www.aglifpt.org/Program/fwa.htm.
Location: Kamenge, Burundi - On the outskirts of Bujumbura
Objective: The Workcamp Peace Team will work at the FWA Clinic which primarily serves HIV+ women and their children. Details are still in the planning stages but most likely the team will build a security wall around the plot behind the clinic which where there will be a dormitory for patients so that, in due time, the Clinic can become a full hospital. Learn more about the clinic at http://www.fwaburundi.com/
Housing: Workcampers will stay in an apartment at the Friends Center in downtown Bujumbura.
2) Rwanda Workcamp – Gisenyi
Host Partner: Gisenyi Friends Church
Location: Gisenyi, Rwanda. On the northern edge of Lake Kivu, just across the border from Goma, Congo
Objective: plan in process - The 2010 Workcamp Peace Team began construction of a conference hall, this may be completed or a new project begun. Afternoons the Workcampers will also help local residents improve their English.
Housing: Workcampers will stay with local families.
More info? Contact Dawn Rubbert via dawn@aglifpt.org or go to www.aglifpt.org
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AGLI's David Zarembka has written a book about his over 45 years of experiences in Africa: A Peace of Africa: Reflections on Life in the Great Lakes Region. For ordering information and to get the first chapter for free, please click here.
