Peace Picnic July 29th 2011
Peace Picknic in Stockholm, Sweden.
“Under The Tree Of Hope”
Somali youth were gathered under the tree of hope as back in the days. Especially at times of war and conflicts our ancestors and religious leaders would sit under a tree to solve burning issues like tribal conflicts and would resolve their dialogue and debates.
The first part was to inspire, educate and entertain the guests and the second part was to activate them. There was an open air theatre "Hal Qoys Baynu Nahay" which means ‘’we are all one’’(one family). The play was about the situation that Somalia is going through. The players had different characters that resembles the actors in Somalia. After the play the guest were asked if there is hope in Somalia. There were different opinions and ideas that were aroused. But at the end of the day, we all agreed that through peaceful dialogue and non-violence Somalia will gain its respect and peace.
Inspiring speakers, such as poets and also presentations (concerning the humanitarian crisis in the Horn) came together to empower the youth to take the lead in organizing sessions of dialogue and stop the culture of violence.
After dividing the group we started to discuss a very sensitive subject; "Qabiil" (Tribe).
Qabiil is the basis of Somali life, since we are nomadic people live in the desert. Tribes and tribalism developed as a way of survival. There were rules and regulation in the discussion, No mentioning tribe names, no offence nor discrimination. Then they were provided with different fruits and question that they should discuss.
• What does tribe mean to you?
• Discuss the positive elements about tribe?
• Discuss the negative elements about tribe?
• How can we overcome this tribe/tribalism?
Each group chose one person to share with the others about their findings. Finally we all agreed that Qabiil/tribe is us to know one another, and not to despise one another.
Everyone was provided with "Dream Cards" which they wrote on their dreams for Somalia in five lines. All the cards were then posted on the tree, and everyone shared his/her dream to the rest.
Finally, "Buy To Save Alive" there was snacks and drinks to fundraise for the drought in the Horn.
Somali Youth Abroad in collaboration with S.A.V.E & Aayo Development Foundation, Our Gratitude goes to all people who made this beautiful day possible!..
Check this Picnic Album for pics and also liste to Hudda Abukar from SYA speaking about the event on National Radio.
About us
- S.A.V.E
- (Somali Awareness through Volunteering and Education) is a non-profit organization (NGO) whose purpose is to assist our brothers and sisters in Somalia. Our organizations vision is to promote health, education, peace, inclusion and combating poverty. We want to reach our goals through information and education about home, cooperate with other organizations in Sweden, collection, activities, volunteer work and work to encourage the younger generation to education. SAVE's primary goal is to facilitate the lives of the needy in Somalia that will actively work through the collections through activities organized by SAVE and with different organizations in Sweden. This enables us to create a common network that is working for a goal. By this, we will together be able to reach out to the young who have no role models. To even think long term we also aim to start up various projects in the country that promotes education and better awareness. DONATE Bank: Swedbank Account Name: SAVE Account Number: 8327-9,914 830 414-1 BG or sms "SAVE" to 72672 (to donate 25kr) Donation Information: This is only if you are in Sweden.