Twenty years ago, conflict erupted between two communities in northern Kenya. The Pokot and Ilchamus were struggling to survive. Livestock were stolen in clashes that led to people dying. Fighting escalated and people moved away so they could get work. Many who stayed saw the ongoing conflict as inevitable, unchangeable.
What can you do with fighting like this? You can’t change the past; you can’t force people to get along; you can’t make them trust each other. Clearly, more jobs would help lift people from cycles of violence, but who’s gonna set up a business in an area like a war zone?
Sometimes it feels like you can’t make peace without peace. It’s not “speak softly and carry a big stick.” It’s “speak softly and listen softly.” The Kenyan neighbors found a way to touch everyone’s heart so they could move forward. Elders from both communities had this idea that would: bring peace and jobs. Working with the Kenya Wildlife Service, they decided to resettle endangered Nubian and Masai giraffes to a nature conservancy nearby.
Incredibly, the plan worked! Whenever new giraffes arrive, people sing and dance together as one community. Their streets are safer and tourist dollars and jobs have emerged. A 27-year-old farmer named Douglas Longomo said: “It took time to understand that the conservancy is important to bring people together.” But now he sees that his community has changed. 34-year-old reserve manager Rebby Sebei is optimistic about the progress, but she also sees that some disputes remain between the two communities. She said, “There is peace, and we need to bring more giraffes.” Embracing awe and shared purpose means trusting in the light.
Reference:
–https://phys.org/news/2024-07-giraffes-peace-kenyan-communities-odds.html
