"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." -
~ Margaret Mead

Hujambo! / Hello!

Mwereni School is a primary school in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania, East Africa. Karen Kaun, Executive Director of Knowledge iTrust recently visited the school with Dr. Frances Vavrus of Teachers College Columbia University and eleven Columbia University students who were participating in Dr. Vavrus' Policy Through Practice Course. The Mwereni School has 837 students - 30 who are blind and who border at the school. Beans and corn are grown in the school's own food garden and cooked over a wood burning stove for lunch. Mwereni is also participating in an environmental preservation program and has a tree nursery on its grounds. A small group of committed Kilimanjaro residents are now working together to undertake a water harvesting and drip irrigation feasibility study to help to increase the school's crop yield, reduce the nursery's water bills and eventually benefit the overall community's food security. News of the project's progress will be posted on the Peace Diaries site in months to come.

Tutuonana / Goodbye

I want to treat people and I’ll do it. I began to gather herbs early in my childhood. It was my Mom who taught me to do it. She told me where and when it is better to gather healing plants. She also told me when and for what purpose I can use each plant.

For instance, thyme is better to gather in summer especially in July and August, because it is the time of its blossom. You should be very careful not to damage it. It heals you when you catch a cold. Coltsfoot should be gathered in May not far from ravines as it grows mostly near them. Plantain can be found practically everywhere along the roads. It will cure your wounds.

You should also mind that to make herbs dried is a special procedure. For this they need as much air as possible but quite little light. Plants can not only cure you, they may give you a lot of pleasure.

Once my grandfather taught me how to cook a very delicious and curing tea from different plants and berries, including currants, cherries and grapes. This tea is of a special golden colour and is very useful for your health. I feel like being tied to the land and I’d love to work being very close for the land. I’m hoping to connect my future career with it.

Peace Diaries Volume One View student artwork and essays from the first book, Peace Diaries, Volume One. Click on the COMMUNITY button or click here.