Friday, March 1, 2013

Peace Champions of Yangis



The BUPNG Community Development Unit (CDU) has developed and implemented several capacity building training courses in parts of the Enga Province. Tribal fighting and disputes are a real concern in the region following tribal tensions. BUPNG saw the need to deliver effective courses to areas affected by such fighting.
The Peace Training program funded annually by the PNG Churches Partnership Program (CPP), an innovative collaboration by the seven Christian denominations in PNG and AusAid, has achieved significant positive outcomes on the lives of many local communities restoring hope, peace, stability and improved living conditions including safer housing, beautiful communities and gardens and the proper development of our land.  

Yangis is the sub district of Kompiam Ambum electorate in the Enga Province comprised of four major circuits, or areas, called the Wapi, Yangis Central, Pinai and Mai. In 2005 the Council President of fourteen wards and two female representatives of Yangis were killed by men from the Mai Circuit. The Council President was from the Wapi Circuit and his clansmen retaliated ending with devastating effect. Tragically 200 people were killed and local health centres, schools and gardens were destroyed. These incidents caused much distress and people fled to safety and shelter with wantoks and neighbouring tribes. Sadly this uncertainty and danger continued for several years, not ending until 2009. 

In April 2010, a team from the Community Development Unit of BUPNG organised a peace training course for community representatives and local men from each Circuit who were involved in the fights to attend. It ran for five days and included sharing knowledge, understanding differences, learning about strategies and tactics to manage and minimise risks and to empower community members to take control and lead this journey to create peace again at home. 

Earlier this year, the BUPNG CDU went back to Yangis to conduct an evaluation of their program and to observe if changes were occurring. 

Peace Review Group work in progress, Yangis Central Circuit   

From the feedback we gathered and from presentations delivered by participants, most people were determined to see some form of change in their lives and to the community. They had been living in chaos and destruction for more than five years and felt that they had had enough. They wanted peace. They craved for the life they lived before, where life was good and people lived in harmony, had good houses and plenty of food to eat. The tribal conflicts had brought a life that was full of misery, fear, homelessness, hunger and people fleeing to other places for safety. 

The peace training conducted in 2010 by the BUPNG CDU team was the beginning of a new era where peace was to be restored into the Yangis area and continue. God has been so good and has answered the prayers of many by restoring peace between the warring tribes. Four participants of the training, one representative from each of the four circuits of Yangis, absorbed the teachings of the course, then were tasked to implement the skills learnt to become peace makers and champions of peace in the Yangis area. They were sometimes given names like ‘the ambulance’ to reflect what they actually did. These men are not paid for what they do in implementing and restoring peace and justice in the community. Often their lives are endangered and much of their own resources and effort is put into this operation. Yet, they have sacrificed the comfort of a good home, restful night and a descent meal to bring change to their community. They want to live in harmony with each other just like any good leader would want for his people. God has faithfully rewarded their sacrifices.
  Yangis man bringing a firearm to a local market day                                               

Today we can see the real benefits of their efforts. Government and mission services such as aid posts and schools are operating in these affected areas without danger. New houses and gardens have been built.  Locals are coming home after many years and life is now peaceful. These communities have come to realize the goodness of living peacefully with each other. Although there are little incidents taking place, a few men still carry with them bush knives and axes, even occasionally firearms to market sites. Due to this Peace Committees have agreed to close certain market sites to deter hostile incidents as well as banning weapons. These decisions demonstrate the active work the peace committees and peace champions have taken to manage such risks at a community level which then can positively and immediately impact in the Yangis area. It may seem obvious but small acts of community empowerment and diligence ensure change is happening.

BUPNG Facilitator, Julianne Rumbi (right) with locals at the Yangis Airstrip

This community development program is one of many BUPNG carry out in our communities. Situations like these are not ideal nor wanted, but it is pleasing and empowering to see community members take charge of their destiny. We are buoyed by this positive spirit and enjoying working with our fellow citizens to enact that type of positive change in society.