Palava Managment & Wrapping Up

As I had mentioned earlier, this week my group- Team Leesha- was responsible for handling a mediation/dialouge/problem solving workshop for two youth groups in Montserrado County, Moulton Corner. Palava management is the Liberian English word for "conflict management" and so our first steps were to interview the parties and figure out the larger context of the "conflct", as well as if there were any other parties involved. In the end, we came together to decide there was a conflict between YALD (Youth Alliance for Development)- yes the L is part of the name- and the Brotherhood. One group felt marginalized from the other due to different levels of education, as well as engagement in certain social activities. There also seemed to be a third party, that here in Liberia is represented as the municipal representative for the youth, appointed by the councilman for the city. Biases from certain leaders within the communities and misperceptions had brought us to a meeting point. They had never actually came together in a "professional" setting to discuss the issue, though they interact daily as acquaintances and sometimes friends. It was very interesting thinking how we were going to address the session while the participants were hesitant to dive into specifics. But overall, it was very successful- for three hours we discussed perceptions of the conflict and mis-perceptions, improved communication and in the end, developed a plan of action. The organizations were going to agree to work together under the youth rep. from the city and send reps from each to each others meetings- as well as organize a futbol tournament as a sign of reconciliation for their members. It was a great experience and afterwards we all "broke bread" if you will and had dinner, with a little bit of music to add to the fun.

The night before this merriment however, took on a more serious tone. We went on what Don Bosco calls a Night Visit- which is essential a night drive around the city to certain locations, looking for children that live on the street. The intention is to try and convince them to come with us to Saivio ( A Don Bosco rehabilitation/transit center) or at the least, take the bread and juice we have. I tried to prepare myself mentally for the conditions they may be living in, the smells I may encounter and in basically, the discomfort I was likely to face; as well as conversations I might have with the kids? What would I say?

We started the night at 11pm and had intended to stay until 2am. It was my group, Chiddi, Hashmi, Andrew and James. We went to locations Don Bosco has found children in the past and realized we were a tad early, so waited around until 12:30 or so for the kids to settle into their "go to" locations, which considering the rain, was somewhere under a roof- usually behind a business or in an outdoor market, sleeping on the tables or walls. At other times, aka not rainy season, we found out many sleep ontop of roofs. We encountered 7 children at first in one location- one who had actually been at Saivio 3 times before and kept leaving. The others were asleep and Hashmi did most of the talking, though the general sentiment was do not disturb. I also found two kids in the market asleep and intertwined with each other for warm I assumed or maybe for a feeling of security. But that was definitely something that struck me. These kids stick together and have their own routines despite the unstable lives they are considered to be living. The other thing is that the community knows they are there and they all look out for each other in a way, keeping track of who is where. I kept on thinking about my own attempted runaway for about 2hours when I was a brat of a child, I can;t even remember what age. Mom, not sure if you remember that day when I actually packed my bag and left the house- though I think you were in the kitchen. But then once I left I though- jeeh- where can I go? So while I thought I sat around the corner by the dead-end, until I decided anywhere I went would be with someone I knew, who would be most likely to call my mom. I never even considered the street. And so for me seeing these kids sleep here and then having an people offer food and a bed, would seem like a welcomed disturbance- but as the night grew on I became to understand it is not about security, but freedom. They like living day to day as long as they are the ones deciding how that day goes. Now if that reasoning would be enough to keep me on the street, I doubt it, but for them it seems to be. In the end, we looked elsewhere but found no one, except the initially sleeping seven- where one child among them said come back tomorrow. And so for me I felt helpless not being able to get them of the street, but for Don Bosco, the sad reality is that these kids are always on the street and if you can't convince them today there is always tomorrow.

Naturally, after a long night I would sleep until noon or so, but these last couple of days has not afforded me that luxury. Today, we had one last final training that all three groups collaborated on and went from 9-4 and now I am hoping tomorrow might be the day. Though considering it is the last full day in the city, I would hate to sleep it away. I may just power through tomorrow in to our social night (farewell get together) and then pack on Sunday for our departure.

I already have an idea of what movies I shall be watching on the plane and hopefully, when I get back on Monday I can have a hot shower and then if it is nice enough sit by the pool. That would be ideal. So this is most likely my last post- its been real. Catch ya'll stateside.