In a dedicated effort to foster peace and harmony, interns from the Daraja Reube Mbororo Development Association (DAREM) embarked on a door-to-door sensitization campaign in the Mbororo community of Buea town. This initiative aimed to educate residents on the importance of domestic and community peace, encouraging practices that promote understanding and conflict resolution.
The Sensitization Campaign
Equipped with informational pamphlets and a strong sense of purpose, the DAREM interns visited households across the Mbororo community. The approach was personal and direct, allowing for one-on-one interactions that facilitated deeper conversations about peace and conflict resolution.
Key Components of the Campaign:
Personal Interactions: Interns engaged directly with community members, discussing issues related to domestic and community peace in a private and comfortable setting.
Educational Materials: Residents received pamphlets and brochures outlining key messages on peacebuilding, conflict resolution techniques, and contact information for local support services.
Conflict Resolution Techniques: Interns shared practical strategies for resolving conflicts peacefully, demonstrating these techniques through simple role-playing scenarios during the visits.
Feedback Collection: Community members were encouraged to share their experiences and opinions, providing valuable feedback to help tailor future peace initiatives to the community’s specific needs.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
The community members expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting its positive impact on their understanding of peace and conflict resolution
Key Points of Community Feedback
Increased Awareness: Many participants acknowledged that the sensitization had enlightened them on the importance of peace at home and in the community.
Practical Solutions: Residents appreciated the practical strategies shared for resolving conflicts, expressing confidence in applying these techniques in their daily lives.
Empowerment: The community members felt empowered to take proactive steps towards fostering peace, both domestically and within the broader community.
Appreciation for Personal Engagement: The personalized, door-to-door approach was particularly well-received, as it allowed for meaningful and direct conversations.
STRENGTHS OF THE CAMPAIGN
Personalized Approach: The door-to-door method allowed for personalized interactions, making it easier to address individual concerns and tailor messages to each household’s context.
Enhanced Trust: Engaging with residents in their homes fostered a sense of trust and openness, which is often harder to achieve in larger, public forums.
Comprehensive Reach: The campaign ensured that a wide range of residents, including those who might not attend community events, received the sensitization messages.
Immediate Feedback: Direct interactions allowed interns to gather immediate feedback and adjust their approach based on the responses and needs of the community members.
WEAKNESSES OF THE CAMPAIGN
Time-Consuming: The door-to-door approach was time-intensive, limiting the number of households that could be reached within the available timeframe.
Safety Concerns: Interns faced safety challenges, particularly when visiting unfamiliar or remote areas of the community alone or in small groups.
Language Barriers: Communication issues arose due to language differences, with some interns struggling to convey their messages effectively to all residents.
Limited Follow-Up: The campaign lacked a structured follow-up mechanism to assess the long-term impact of the sensitization efforts and provide ongoing support to community members.
Quotes on Community Sensitization on Domestic and Community Peace
Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi: “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to cope with it.”
Martin Luther King Jr.: “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”
Eleanor Roosevelt: “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”
CONCLUSION
The DAREM interns’ door-to-door sensitization campaign in the Mbororo community of Buea town was a noteworthy effort to promote domestic and community peace. While the personalized approach and direct engagement had significant strengths, challenges such as time constraints, safety concerns, and language barriers highlighted areas for improvement. Future initiatives would benefit from addressing these weaknesses and incorporating more robust follow-up strategies to ensure lasting impact. Overall, the campaign was a positive step towards building a more peaceful and cohesive community.
