Stories for Peace

A project by Elijah Astute and the children of Nakivale,
with Luca Luigi Ashieri and Catherin J Pascal Dunk

The Stories for Peace project aims to give a voice to the children and youth who have fled war and are living in the Nakivale Refugee Camp in Uganda. This will be done through the publication of their stories and drawings, online and in book form. There will also be a related competition, with a small cash prize, to encourage children to get involved.

All proceeds of the Go Fund Me fundraising page here will be used to purchase the necessary art and technology materials, to support the children and youth in Nakivale Refugee Camp, to reward their competition entries, and to publish the books. If you are able, please give generously!

But why “Stories for Peace”?

Have you ever thought about what the opposite of violence is? What the antagonist might be: the antidote?

According to Priel Korenfeld, the deepest meaning of violence can be traced back to its Hebrew etymology, and seems to be “the act of rendering someone silent.”

The human deeply needs to communicate one’s thoughts, emotions and being to others, it is so important that the act of preventing communication seems to be the essence of violence.

From this we can deduce that the opposite is listening, the act of listening and seeking to understand, the act of spreading the thoughts, emotions, and stories of others.

Giving those living in forced isolation the opportunity to tell, and share, their stories and artistic expression, is an important act of peace. It is the first step towards overcoming the trauma of war and the hope of overcoming the violence endured.

A word from Luca Luigi Ashieri:

I’m Luca Luigi Aschieri, a recent Italian immigrant to Ireland, and currently living and working in Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare. Creativity is the guiding thread of my life, as is the dream of changing the world starting with those most in need.

For almost three years, I supported a small art project in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, with which I continue to collaborate. Recently, I was fortunate enough to connect with some young people living in the Nakivale refugee camp in Uganda. With Elijah in particular, I saw the opportunity to build something valuable starting from stories.

Elijah is a Congolese young person who, like many others, fled the war. He is passionate about agriculture and writing, and does what he can to support his community and himself in the difficult reality of the refugee camp.

Together with other young people, he thought it might be possible to write and illustrate stories and help children create their own. It would be a wonderful opportunity. In recent months many refugees have been arriving in Nakivale, fleeing the wars in Congo and Sudan. People don’t know what to do anymore.

Perhaps writing and artistic expression may not seem like a priority, but one of the most difficult things in these realities is to keep hope strong and recover the psychological strength to move forward.

By creating safe spaces for children to talk, write, draw, and share their stories, this project encourages self-expression, emotional healing, creativity, and dialogue. This process builds confidence and helps children become peace ambassadors in their communities.

About Catherin J Pascal Dunk:

Catherin is a book editor, poet and yarnbomber living on the Central Coast near Sydney, Australia.

She is passionate about growing a future we can be proud, by any and all means—including by helping share these stories from Nakivale.

Please give generously to the project if you are able, and help us share the word about Stories for Peace!