Posts Categorized: Reflections

In Ebola response, let’s also think LONG TERM and LOCAL

As the Ebola crisis has unfolded in Sierra Leone (and West Africa, and beyond), the pull to the urgent is strong.  And rightfully so – everyone wants to act swiftly and effectively to stop the spread of the disease, as well as to provide healing care for all those impacted.  The Fambul Tok staff is… Read more »

“Fambul Tok Day” Declared in Kono

Since Fambul Tok kicked off its community reconciliation process in Sierra Leone, several clarion calls have been made on government by various people, including traditional leaders, to declare March 23 of every year a day of national reflection. Held on the anniversary of the start of the war, March 23rd, if  recognized by government, would… Read more »

Stories from Koinadugu

Excerpts from Fambul Tok Volunteer Sara Waldheim’s blog, Around the World with Sara. Follow her adventures here Easter in Kabala Easter Sunday presented a great opportunity to attend a church service, Sierra Leone style.  A Fambul Tok staff member, Rev. Emmanuel, invited me to come with him and his family to the Wesleyan church in Kabala. … Read more »

Peacemakers Commemorate ‘March 23’ with Quiz and Bonfires

March 23, 1991 is always remembered as a day of reflection. It was the day when the first shot was fired in the town of Bomaru, Upper Bambara chiefdom, Kailahun district, declaring war in Sierra Leone. To commemorate March 23rd this year, peacemakers in 30 schools in Fambul Tok operational districts (Kailahun, Kono, Moyamba, Bombali,… Read more »

Peace Mothers Journey—journal excerpts 2011-2013

Originally written in 2011-12 by Fambul Tok volunteer Sara Waldheim Peace Mothers Journey: Village One, Koinadugu District It’s been almost three months since I arrived in Sierra Leone to serve as a volunteer with Fambul Tok. My road to Sierra Leone was influenced by several factors — a combination of travel, conversation and inner dialogue… Read more »

Gbane community starts construction of health post

This post was written by team members of the Kono district. Immediately after their reconciliation ceremony in 2010, Gbane yemor section, Gbane chiefdom in Kono district went into action. Having learned from Fambul Tok how to be independent and work for the development of their community, all the villages in that section settled down to… Read more »

Students Come Together to ‘Walk the Tok’

Students around the world, after learning about Fambul Tok, have asked us how they can get involved.  Informal groups and clubs have emerged organically, some with inspiring and dedicated ways of sharing Fambul Tok’s messages of forgiveness, justice and community (notably, The Philadelphia School).  Inspired by this energy, we are developing an official Fambul Tok… Read more »

It’s All About the Values

Like most organizations, Fambul Tok has a list of values to which it subscribes, and that it works to consistently fulfill.  Unlike many organizations in practice, however, it defines the living out of those values as one of the, if not the defining characteristic of its work.  Living its values (and helping Fambul Tok communities… Read more »

Fambul Tok Urges Government to Declare March 23rd National Reflection Day

Fambul Tok International – Sierra Leone has again called on the Government of Sierra Leone to declare March 23rd an annual day for national reflection. Addressing a press conference on Thursday March 22, 2012 prior to the day’s commemoration, Fambul Tok Executive Director John Caulker, said that the clarion call to commemorate March 23rd had… Read more »

Fambul Tok 2012? Now that would be interesting!

[This blog is a re-post of the blog Sara wrote for the On Screen/In Person tour, organized by Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts.  Fambul Tok is a featured film on that tour, and Sara’s been traveling the mid-Atlantic region for screenings and some lively conversations.] March 9, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis, MD… Read more »