Infected with Nonviolence: Introductory Report on EPF nonviolence training in Haiti August 2008

In one of the most violent and poorest countries in the world, EPF is privileged to begin nonviolence work with the Diocese of Haiti and their Tutu Center.  At the invitation of Bishop Jean Zache Duracin and in coordination with the Rev.  Frantz Cole, Director of Development for the Diocese of Haiti, the EPF nonviolence team began training with over 125 Haitian leaders.

This introductory three day nonviolence training is a beginning of our work with the diocese.  The Rev. Will Wauters, (Dean of Urban Deanery and Vicar of Church of the Epiphany, Diocese of LA) training organizer, has a strong interest in Haiti and as a member of EPF’s National Executive Council he suggested that EPF focus some of our nonviolence training there.  EPF member the Rev. Nicole Janelle (Vicar of St. Michael's and All Angels Church and Campus minister at UCSB) served on the training team and was invited to preach in several services.  Leader Ms. Veronica Pelaric of Pace e Bene Nonviolence Services conducted the training in French.

One participant came up to training organizer the Rev. Will Wauters*and said, “I’m infected with nonviolence.”  Reports from all those involved mentioned the excitement that was generated with the training andthe interest in continuing with more training and nonviolence work.

WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW:  Early in November Nicole Janelle will be taking nonviolence books to Haiti to contribute to the Diocese of Haiti Tutu Center.  Please make a donation to this wonderful continuation of the nonviolence  work EPF began in AugustIt!  Nicole also  take copies of “De la Violence a la Plenitude” to Haiti.   This is the text of From Violence to Wholeness the training base curriculum.    The Diocese will then give  August participants their own copy.  Please contribute here, 

Here’s a description of the Training From Trainer Veronica Pelaric: 

“The workshop started next morning after we arrived.  It was held in the open, under a roof in what is the patio of a school.  The heat was smouldering. That day we decided that we would go till 2 o’clock each day a decision the participants really cheered.  Everyone was very friendly and warm and excited to be there.  The participants were most patient and the miracle of it all was that by day three we were community!  It seemed miraculous at times, the joy and the intensity of the passion prevailing in that patio.

The exercises I presented during the first three days were:  Barometer,  the Two Hands, Role Play of four Steps,  Circle of Truths,  story telling and examples. We saw three episodes of the video “A Force More Powerful”  (Gandhi, Nashville and South Africa) and commented on them.   Maybe the most successful and fun exercise for them was the role play of applying the four steps.  They loved and enjoyed the acting by four talented participants and there was a lot of learning with laughter.  Because of the number of people involved, I demonstrated the Circle of Truths with 5 participants and had them observe.  I then asked them to break into groups and with the theme of ‘violence to women’ run through possible roles and exchanges thereof. What was impressive was the level of impassioned participation, to repeat myself.  Truly remarkable.   

For the last day, I made a huge poster of the 8 Stages of a Social Movement in French and explained very carefully the Phases of a Nonviolent Strategy,  giving ample examples.  This was very much appreciated.  After reviewing this material people broke into groups and exchanged for a long time on possibilities for a Haitian movement.  The most common theme was the disparity between rich and poor and how to deal with that.  I also think people would have loved to have more handout and photocopies. For example, I think that Bill Moyers’ book Doing Democracy would be so helpful to this context.   This seems to me fundamental as there was a real hunger for material.  There is so little in French and they are used to this kind of learning – reading from texts and discussing."

Bishop Duracin was present at the concluding ceremony and gave certificates of participation to over 100 leaders for nonviolence in his Haitian Diocese. He was most impressed by their enthusiasm to engage nonviolence as a spiritual and pragmatic means of lifting up their beleagured " petit belle Haiti".  /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-par