Achievements. Our Stories.

What inspired you to join Truce 20/20 project?

What had initially been the deciding factor in joining the project was the prospect of learning about a variety of conflicts. Being in Truce taught me how to deal with local and national conflicts, as well as to understand the reasons for the international conflicts occurring in the world today. I am deeply interested in international conflicts and the intricate details surrounding their relations, and Truce 2020 had much to offer in that area. The person who had introduced me to Truce had gone to an international Peace Building conference in Turkey, and that interested me enough to apply.

What changes have taken place in your life as a result of doing the ‘Peace Builder’s Workshop’?

It wasn’t so much the changes that occurred than the understanding I gained. As a result I became more aware of the causes of a conflict, as well the different ways that one can deal with conflicts. It is not always the most obvious route that you must take, and I learnt that lesson in Truce.

What kind of volunteering activity did you take part in after completing the training?

Apart from the many sessions we had as a group, there was also an opportunity to go to a Residential. This residential helped our group to become tighter knit, as well as training us on how to conduct our own workshops. It was an extremely inspiring two days. Also I was able to go to a primary school with two leading facilitators, Chris and Natalie, and facilitate a workshop about conflict in the community to a class of year 4 children.

A group of us were also lucky enough to be taken to the House of Lords to sit in on a conference that had many international peace builders present, as well as ambassadors.

I had taken a brief hiatus, but when I came back I was fortunate to sit in a talk led by a Sudanese peace builder. It was a fantastic experience. To be able to see everything we were learning about being practised was a wonderful feeling. In addition this woman was so strong and had made such a change in her homeland Sudan that it made me believe that even one person, given the passion and determination can make a difference in the world. She gave me faith in myself and determination to make my own mark on the world.

What did you enjoy about this volunteering activity?

Children have a very black-and-white view of life. Adults seem to lose the ability to see so clearly the older they get! And yet these little children know more about life than so many of us. I loved the fact that the more they learned from me, the more I found myself learning from them. It was an extremely fulfilling time.

Has it helped you improve your job prospects and if so, how?

I suppose it has; in the future I will work in some form of international conflict centre or international charity, and Truce 20/20 has opened up many opportunities for me. I am able to meet like-minded people, and those who have similar aspirations.

Was the Truce 20/20 project everything you expected?

It was everything I expected and everything I did not. I expected to gain knowledge out of it, which is what I always aim for in any project I immerse myself in. However I managed to create important links, and make friends. I didn’t expect the change in myself. I became more focused in what I want to do, and more determined to succeed.

Will you continue to be involved? Why?

I will definitely continue to be involved in every possible aspect of Truce 2020. It has been an important learning block in my developing as a peace builder and I love being involved. I can hardly wait for what Truce has in store for me in the future!

What inspired you to join Truce 20/20 project?

Truce has provided a young person like me with an opportunity to be a part of and make a difference to my local community. The project encouraged me to discover new life skills through workshops such as leadership and communication skills. But most importantly it gave me the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. Lastly it encouraged local young people from a range of cultures and religions to participate in the project and helped to push local young people to work together despite their race.

What changes have taken place in your life as a result of doing the ‘Peace Builder’s Workshop’?

It has provided me with an opportunity to take part in interactive workshops in local primary schools, which has been fantastic. I have always wished to pursue a career in teaching and this opened the door for me to experience some first hand classroom experience. Furthermore, I have also been able to take part in activities which deal with the community on a local, national and international level.

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to do a workshop with other Truce graduates in Wales to a group of young people from Poland and Germany who come to the UK to work in a volunteer sector. More recently I have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to take part in an internship program at Caux in Geneva. This will be for one month and will enable me to progress with my leadership skills. Moreover I will be able to see at first hand what discussions take place at world peace conferences and see how we as an international community can make a difference for the world for the better.

What kind of volunteering activity did you take part in after completing the training?

I worked in a number of primary schools, facilitating conflict and mediation workshops. I have also taken part in conferences speaking on behalf of young people and the changes we would like to bring. Most recently I have been given the opportunity to take part in an internship in Geneva, which will provide me with the opportunities and courses in leadership and intercultural skills.

What did you enjoy about this volunteering activity?

I have very much enjoyed every aspect of the program, especially designing and facilitating workshops. I have learned a great deal in conflict resolution and mediation, which now makes me think twice in daily life situations. Most importantly I have enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends from a range of different ethnic backgrounds. Together we in the Truce group have encouraged each other to fulfil our life ambitions and have been able to watch each other develop, grow and blossom as individual young people.

The volunteering activity has helped me grow and develop my life skills and to take part in various opportunities; such as Geneva. I loved the fact that the program was very interactive, fun and very hands on. This made it so much more enjoyable and encouraged us young people to finish the program.

Has it helped you improve your job prospects and if so, how?

The Truce 20/20 program has made me evaluate my future and because of the numerous voluntary projects offered after the training, it has helped me decide that I would like to pursue a career as a primary school teacher. On the other hand it has also encouraged me to think about working abroad for a voluntary organisation and making a difference within the international community, big or small. I have always wanted to travel and the Truce program has offered me some fantastic opportunities for me to do this.

Was the Truce 20/20 project everything you expected?

It was everything I expected and ten times more. At first I was unsure what I would actually gain in participating in the workshops. But Truce has provided me with some fantastic voluntary work that I would never have dreamed of. Moreover it encouraged me to pursue to work towards my career in teaching and working with children.

Will you continue to be involved? Why?

I will always be part of the program for as long as it continues to run. It is a very inspirational program for young people, especially for those living in East London. It provides young people with an interactive facility and active fun workshops. Moreover it gives young people an opportunity to make new friends and to make positive change to their community. For those young people who are unsure about their future or their career path, Truce provides an opportunity for all to take part in many local, national and international activities.

What makes Truce 20/20 so different from other youth based projects is that it offers diversity. It gives young people the opportunity to expand their skills from a local level into an international level. It opens up doors for young people to discover the world and of different races and cultures.

Truce 20/20 is funded partly by Peace Direct, which offers a new prospect into the program of peace building. It provides young people to meet international peace builders from hot conflict zones to share their experiences. Today many young people face conflict in some form or another, the project enables us on how to deal with conflict and strategies to overcome this. As long as the Truce 20/20 project keeps running, I will always be a part of it, as it has so many wonderful and encouraging opportunities for young people.

Shakir Kamali, 21, spent most of his teens in street gangs and suffered serious consequences. He’s since turned his life around. Now a youth worker Shakir helps inspire other young people. In summer 2008 he took part in our Truce 20/20 training project which teaches peacebuilding and leadership skills to young people in Newham.

In those days the street life used to be territorial – for example this side of the street/the other side of the street. I used to be quite an active member of the whole group, the one that hyped the others up. I started in Tower Hamlets but when I started to lead the proper street life I was all over – Newham and out of London. I started the street life from 11 and properly got out when I was 17.

My family are well educated and had high expectations of me. Two incidents led me towards the street life. When I was 13 I used to bunk school, do dodgy stuff and my brother found out. He took all the nice stuff out of my room – my computer, TV etc and I ran away, staying for 2/3 nights driving around up north. The second time I was going into year 10, my first GCSE year, and my family wanted me to get my act together. They got physical and didn’t listen to me.

I was kicked out of the family home at 15. I started working and juggling on the street, making dodgy money. My life wasn’t going anywhere. There came a point at 17 when I was struggling with life, that I thought I have two choices, this path or the other. I realised I had to stand on my own two feet and rely on myself. When I had no money, wearing the same clothes with no roof over my head, I thought – where are my friends now?

It was my youth worker that really helped me get out of the street life. I told him everything. He’d never judge and was neutral. He’d been there himself so he understood how I felt. People come out of that life only when they are ready. But when they do I think they can be the best people to help others still in that world. Someone who has gone through street life can properly understand, they have experience of the reality. A person who hasn’t been there only has theory.

When things get tough now I know I have to keep going. I don’t have a role model. I go to different people for different stuff. Music helps to keep me calm and I enjoy working with young people as a youth worker – it helps me focus on their issues rather than mine. I know how important a non judgemental support is.”

Janine’s 20 and did her volunteering opportunity at the ‘Breaking the Cycle’ event.

““We did a workshop and had a discussion as well. We played a game called Twister, where we identified different types of people that we have conflict with and looked at different people’s views on conflict. We also did a ‘sun shines on’ exercise to get people moving about. Even though I was nervous I really enjoyed it. I had a good group – they all spoke and made a contribution. I got to work with someone I hadn’t before and we became friends after. It was the first time I got to put my knowledge into practice”.

Has the volunteer opportunity helped your personal development?

Yes, through my volunteering I got my paid role as a youth worker. It gave me good experience in the field that I wanted to get into. I knew one of the people at the workshop and he told me “I really enjoyed it; I still get into fights but not as much”.

What was the hardest part?

Learning about conflict – at first you always think you are right in an argument. A challenging part is where the course teaches you not to be on a high horse, it makes you self aware – appreciating that sometimes, I’m not always right. I really enjoyed doing it though and feel I learned a lot of new skills and would volunteer again.

Was the accreditation element important for you?

It helps in terms of being recognised for the work you put in but I would have done it anyway.

What are your ambitions for the future?

I’d like to stay involved and do more volunteering.

Jasmine Simeron, 19 years old.
Volunteering opportunity – facilitation of ‘Peace builder’s workshop’, a 10 week programme delivered to 20 young people aged 16-21 years old from London borough of Newham.

What inspired you to take part in the volunteering activity?

Living in an area where there are lots of young people with not much to do, it’s difficult trying to take the opportunity to get out of it. I also like to meet lots of different people who I otherwise wouldn’t engage with. This is important in my area because there is racial segregation and lots of crime.

This project is for everyone to come together with common goals, bring peace to our community and also have fun.

What did I enjoy about this volunteering activity?

There are lots of things I enjoyed about this activity. Mainly I’ve met so many fantastic people that I might not have met otherwise – young people that do all sorts of volunteering around Newham. I have trained some people who have been through so much, from different backgrounds, who did not have the same opportunities as me.

You can learn from their experiences and see how you can improve. It made me realise how strong people of my age can be. You don’t really get the opportunity to speak to people about their experience and about their life if you’re not making the effort to ask them.

I have also enjoyed being able to deliver workshops and presentations around Newham and other places, and develop skills to speak in public. After this course I am so much more prepared to speak in front of the people.

Being able to facilitate on this course has also given me an insight from the different perspective, whereas before I was the young person on the course. Being able to be the facilitator and giving my peers knowledge and seeing them change from the beginning of the course when they are shy and don’t know what to say, to the end where they know everybody….. it is just so emotional.

Being able to make a difference in someone’s life is definitely worth doing. Facilitating gives you the skills you can use in the everyday life; like when you are going to an interview – you learn what is appropriate. You have much more confidence in what you are saying. And I think to be able to go to an interview and do well you need some confidence and conviction of what you are saying. Young people get these skills from facilitation.

Has it helped you improve your job prospects and if so, how?

It has given me the chance to get out of my confidence zone a little bit more and meet people from different backgrounds. Doing something you wouldn’t necessarily do with the people you would not necessarily do it with. At work you have to learn to cope with different people and work as a team so it was really worth it.

How has this project helped you develop personally and in ways that might help you at work?

This project has definitely helped me to develop personally in many ways. For example, I am more aware of people’s differences now – before I was a bit selfish. I also have much better communication skills and listening skills now.

I have got so many role models, even people who are younger than me. I respect them so much more for what they have been through and how much progress they have made. I am looking forward to seeing them in few years and seeing how much progress they have made due to this course. It’s fantastic to be a part of that.

When you are going to a job it is essential that you can work well as part of a team as well as by yourself, to understand and empathise with people. Now I have much better people skills that this course teaches you. Being able to facilitate to lots of different people of different backgrounds and education standards opens your eyes to see that not everybody is the same.

What sort of things did you get up to on the project?

I have been involved in many workshops, facilitating to range of young people from secondary schools to above my age, 25 years old. I have delivered many presentations to large audiences, addressing the issues of peace building and the importance of peer to peer education. So far, my favourite has been delivering the ‘Peace builders workshop’ to two groups of 20 Truce participants.

Was the project everything you expected?

It was everything I expected and so much more. I can see that this project has trained over 100 young people and the people are still coming, they become actively involved.

I got so close with people I did the training with. I would never have expected it to be a course like this. I had high expectations but it had exceeded them. I am glad to be part of it. I would like to see how far it goes.

Will you continue to be involved? Why?

I will continue to be involved. It has got opportunities that young people need. If I need support I can get it from Truce. It is not a project where you can just come for a few weeks and than forget about it. If you want to do more you can, if you want to do less you can, if you need a break you are always welcome to do that. It’s fantastic.

It is an inspirational programme that a lot of people should take part in. I’d like to be involved to see that change in many, many others.

What impact do you think this project has had on your local community?

People get so many different things from Truce because there are so many aspects to it. People come to this course to build their confidence, to make friends, to learn new skills, and some people would like to learn how to deal with violence.

Through the training, so many young people have been given many opportunities they might not otherwise have. They go on to facilitate groups, go to school to deliver workshops, to be positive role models so the younger people have someone to look up to, someone who has done something good with their lives. The project will definitely help young people who are not in education later on.

What inspired you to join Truce 20/20 project?

I was invited by a friend to come and join a project in Newham, where I would learn conflict resolution and mediation skills. He said to me that this will benefit me since I am a psychology and counselling enthusiast. I was very inspired after the first meeting to keep coming, when I realised that

• We were a large group of young people;
• I was learning things that are valuable but very hard to teach through games and activity;
• I was learning about myself; and
• Nice food was provided during the break;

I am always interested with anything to do with learning about my self, or helping people or achieving something with others.

What changes have taken place in your life as a result of doing the ‘Peace Builder’s Workshop’?

Since doing the peace builders workshop, I am more self aware. I am quick to identify when I am getting angry and now able to respond rationally rather than react on impulse. I’ve also been complimented on how empathetic I am or try to be. I rarely get into conflict situations and when I do, they are not like they used to be. I used to argue until I felt like I was equal or the one that came on top. But now, I understand that conflict with people arises when two or more parties have different needs or ideas that are not being met. Understanding the other sides’ feelings and meeting their needs or making some kind of truce, is likely to extinguish conflict.

What kind of volunteering activity did you take part in after completing the training?

I was involved in anger management workshops in many schools in the borough, and I delivered workshops and presentations about Truce 20/20 in various places around the country.

What did you enjoy about this volunteering activity?

The travelling and the company.

How has this volunteering opportunity helped you develop personally?

Personally I have gained so much. I am more confident in addressing conflict and speaking in loud crowds. I am more willing to be corrected, and I love to speak to people more.

Has it helped you improve your job prospects and if so, how?

It has definitely improved my job prospects. I am currently studying counselling, and being able to say that I’ve done so much at such a young age makes me look good. I remember my lecturer saying to me that she is not even surprised to hear this, as she sees me as someone who will be prominent when it comes to improving people’s character flaws and resolving conflict.

Was the Truce 20/20 project everything you expected?

The Truce project was more than I expected. I made new friends and have learned transferable life skills that have changed me and my relationships for the better.

Will you continue to be involved? Why?

I will be there for any mission that Truce embarks on, if I am available and they need me. Amongst everything I have learned, I now know and believe that one person can inspire change. That person can be me, through Truce

What inspired you to join Truce 20/20 project?

I was inspired to join Truce 20/20 because I wanted to see a change within myself and to experience making new relationships with different types of people I have never had the chance to know somewhere else.

What changes have taken place in your life as a result of doing the ‘Peace Builder’s Workshop’?

I have become less critical of myself and now more able to make changes within myself and the way I treat others I may have conflict with. All in all, I have learned how to become more confident to just do what I need to do.

What kind of volunteering activity did you take part in after completing the training?

Since completing the training with Truce 20/20, I have had several opportunities to take part in workshops held at primary schools and also other organisations, helping to facilitate and inform young children and even young adults about different types of conflict within their everyday lives, and how they can go about dealing with their issues. Through Truce 20/20, I have also been given the chance to partake in a residential visit to Scotland with another charity, meeting and liaising with other young people from other conflict zones around the world.

What did you enjoy about this volunteering activity?

What I loved the most about the volunteering activity is that I now have the chance to share all that I have learned to others around me for the rest of my life. I also love the sense of realisation and responsibility.

How has this volunteering opportunity helped you develop personally?

Before I would say exactly what I think or see, regardless of how the other person would feel. Now I think before I say something that may inflict pain on others. I am now also more able to take charge of a situation and be a more confident leader.

Has it helped you improve your job prospects and if so, how?

Yes I am now more comfortable to talk about myself in front of a crowd, allowing me to sell myself more successfully to employers. I also know that in the work place I have leave personal issues to one side and adopt a professional cooperative attitude.

Was the Truce 20/20 project everything you expected?

I expected to meet different people through joining Truce but I didn’t expect to be able to like all of them, which I do. Also I know that with age comes maturity but with Truce 20/20 it comes quicker.

Will you continue to be involved? Why?

Yes. In some ways Truce has inspired me to be a better person and has taught me that self discipline is a vital part of growing up. It has been good for my self esteem. I would love to stay involved to continue informing young people about self awareness while they are still young and more adaptable to change.

What inspired you to join Truce 20/20 project?

I was inspired to join Truce 2020 project because I heard about it at my youth centre and thought it was something that I would not mind doing. I could see myself being involved in helping out the community and having fun at the same time. The last thing that attracted me to truce is the possibility that it would give me new life experience, help me meet new people and gain skills to better myself at the same time.

What changes have taken place in your life as a result of doing the ‘Peace Builder’s Workshop’?

There have been many changes that have taken place in my life since the peace building workshop. I have learnt to appreciate what I have because not everyone is as lucky as me. It has also taught me that one person can make a big difference in the world.

What kind of volunteering activity did you take part in after completing the training?

The activities I have taken part in since graduating from the programme include volunteering at Ravencroft Primary school were I took part in the “Valuing each other” programme. During this time Natalie (lead trainer) and I facilitated sessions with the children about bonding with each other, communication, team work and valuing everyone. This was one of the best experiences for me as it was something I had never done before and seeing the little kids’ faces and how they looked up to me was amazing as it made me feel valued.

Since then I have continued volunteering. I was involved in a presentation at the Conflict and Change AGM, which involved me talking to many friends, staff, volunteers and managers of Conflict and Change. During this once in a lifetime experience there was an international peace builder from Mozambique present who enlightened us with his personal experience. I have also been part of the Truce 2020 steering Group where a group of us work together to improve the Truce experience for future volunteers. Through Truce I have also been involved in a steering group for Newham.

What did you enjoy about this volunteering activity?

On a personal level I feel I have become more responsible. The way I see things, the world, is different now. Before I wasn’t open to things, I was just used to Newham. Now I see there are other opportunities in life and that one person’s actions can go on to benefit many other people.

Has it helped you improve your job prospects and if so, how?

I am hoping to start University by the end of the year. I included my experience from Truce 20/20 in the UCAS application, which I am sure helped in getting my offers. The truce course has also given me practical work experience and has inspired me to continue volunteering in community work.

Was the Truce 20/20 project everything you expected?

The course exceeded my expectations. I was expecting it to be quite formal, writing etc, a bit like being at college. However it was learning, having fun and gaining skills all at the same time. We were respected as adults, instead of just being told what to do. We where encouraged to find our own ‘answers’ and reach our own conclusions about how to manage conflict & resolve situations in life.

Will you continue to be involved? Why?

I will definitely continue to be involved in Truce, one way or another, because it is something that I enjoy being part of and always will. I still hope to gain more skills and knowledge. By sticking with Truce, I believe I will not only be benefiting myself but the world.

What inspired you to join Truce 20/20 project?

I was inspired to do Truce through a mini course that I had taken part in my youth work. It was at level one and only touched on the base lines of conflict and change. Through this training, I was made aware of my behaviour and reactions around conflict which had never come to my attention before. I was very surprised and eager to learn more about myself in order to develop my skills in all aspects. I then came into the taster day, and signed up to do the course…and as they say the rest is history!

What changes have taken place in your life as a result of doing the ‘Peace Builder’s Workshop ’?

The changes that have taken place in my life as a result of doing the Peace Builders activity are that I am now more aware, which puts me in control of my reactions or responses. It has also made me more confident in working with other types of young people from across the globe as well as my community because of the opportunities I’ve come across whilst volunteering for Truce.

What inspired you to take part in the volunteering activity?

I had previously taken training in Conflict Resolution, and I was interested to develop my skills in this field and take it further. The trainer recommended me to attend a taster day with Truce 20/20, and through the taster day I was able to sign on.

What did I enjoy about this volunteering activity?

I mostly enjoyed being part of a group and discovering what affects other young people in regards to conflict. I also liked finally being able to learn how to be in control when in a disagreement, and learning the knowledge gained in terms of conflict resolution.

Has it helped you improve your job prospects and if so, how?

It has definitely made my CV look more positive and has enabled me to take part in other volunteering trainings abroad.

How has this project helped you develop personally and in ways that might help you at work?

It has developed me personally everywhere – from home life, to work, friends and even in terms of education. This course has made me more aware of how I am around others.

What sort of things did you get up to on the project?

I am a member of the steering group, which is always fun to meet up, catch up and see what types of opportunities there are and to get involved. I delivered a workshop to some of the charity’s donors to see how they dealt with conflict. I also got involved with another charity whose aim is to challenge young people in regards to stereotyping.

Was the project everything you expected?

Not really, it was better. I thought you would just get trained and be off with your certificate. But the trainers help you develop even further through confidence and any other personal issues you might want to work on. They also support you in other areas such as education and work through their networks.

Will you continue to be involved? Why?

Yes!!! Because I enjoy the team I volunteer with and absolutely love the opportunities that come out of it. I also want to pass on my knowledge to other young people and make a difference.