PEACE THROUGH FAIR PLAY (PTFP) 7TH ANNUAL YOUTH CAMP
PEACE THROUGH FAIR PLAY (PTFP)
Executive Summary
The catalyst beyond the establishment of the Peace Through Fair Play (PTFP) started with an observation among young people in which GPFA identified that although many claim young people are the future of Liberia, they are often neglected. The majority never get the chance to have the space, knowledge, and support they need to become the leaders they ought to be. Therefore, GPFA designed a project under its Transformation Leadership Initiative to target young people from ten to sixteen years of age.
The first annual PTFP youth camp was held in 2013 in Careysburg, Montserrado County. Since then, several other PTFP Youth Camps have been held in various counties for kids from Nimba-Grand Gedeh, Bomi-Grand Cape Mount, Rivercess-Grand Bassa, and Margibi. This year (2022) is the 7th Annual Peace Through Fair Play, as Covid-19 prevented us from hosting camp for two years. The camp's goal is to promote respect, integrity, and accountability to foster peace and reconciliation among youths in Liberia. Before hosting each camp, GPFA hosts a one-day Volunteers training to empower volunteers with knowledge on child protection to guide them to serve as better caregivers to the campers to achieve the camp's goals.
PTFP is a human capacity-building initiative designed to equip the future leaders of Liberia by positively changing their mindsets, thus creating a change in behavior in which they can see themselves as possible change leaders and members of a community that needs the cooperation of everyone to succeed. By targeting the young minds of these youth, the 7th Annual PTFP facilitates topics surrounding Conflict and Peace, Civic Education, Morals, and Ethics, among others. Understanding these topics help young people prepare for, create and design the future they desire and contribute to the development of their communities and society.
Introduction
Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa hosted its seventh annual Peace Through Fair Play Youth Camp from August 7-12, 2022, with fifty (50) campers of diverse backgrounds between ages 10-16 years participating. They were selected regardless of their religion, financial status, and capabilities.
The 7th Annual Peace Through Fair Play was held under the theme: "Inspiring the Future Leaders." The camp's goal is to promote respect, integrity, and accountability to foster peace and reconciliation among youths in Liberia. This goal was carefully managed and achieved by professional facilitators with limitless experiences and vast knowledge about the topics presented to the campers, coupled with the efforts of the volunteers.
GPFA staff, including the camp Co-coordinators and Camp Director (GPFA's Founder and President, 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Madam Leymah R. Gbowee), gave out tons of motivation and inspiration during the camp. The 7th Annual PTFP Youth Camp was well spent, leaving all participants with a lifetime experience.
1.0 Six Days Of Transforming the Lives of Youth in Margibi
Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa hosted its Peace Through Fair Play Youth Camp for six days. Fifty (50) campers from Margibi were thrilled by their different engagements.
PEACE THROUGH FAIR PLAY TEAMS
TEAM BLUE
Team Blue had brainiacs that could redefine thoughts and surprises, but they were doomed due to their lack of confidence. They were the first runner-up in the PTFP youth camp.
TEAM BROWN
Team Brown - is one of the most fantastic teams at the camp. They had almost everything; the most active and eloquent speakers, dancers, and a visually impaired member that could spell any word in the spelling bees competition. There were so many people mesmerized by the duo dancers of the Brownies.
THE VOLUNTEERS
The Volunteers are GPFA current and former/graduate scholars and staff. They served in many capacities as Medical practitioners, caregivers, teachers, guardians, and parents of the kids.
TEAM YELLOW
Team Yellow - This team had characters of all dimensions, including the best singer who was visually impaired, a historian, a journalist, a dancer, and the most caring person at the Camp that won the prize as the Peace Ambassador (John Blamo).
TEAM ORANGE
Team Orange are winners of the PTFP youth Camp 2022. They amplified their voices through the unity of their team which every member served in a different capacity.
TEAM GREEN
Team Green - They triumphed despite comprising of two deaf campers and one visually impaired camper. They manage the euphoria of their team, conquering many games beyond their reach.
1.1 FIRST DAY - YOUR HELLO
On the morning of the first day (August 7, 2022), GPFA staff and volunteers arrived in Kakata City, Margibi County, ahead of the campers to begin preparation, such as the packaging of the camp's materials and items for the campers. This was followed by the arrival of campers in the afternoon, the signing of the parental/guardian consent forms, and each child's registration. Care packages were distributed, colors picked for teams' formation (Orange, Blue, Green, Brown, and Yellow), and rooms were assigned for the campers to settle down.
The Team democracy was next, involving all the groups selecting and forming their line of government and leadership. The official opening of the camp was marked with welcome remarks by Ms. Melvina O. Bright, the Administrative Director. She encouraged the campers to make their best opportunity at the center and its activities which will impact their lives. The 2022 PTFP camp Co-coordinators, Ms. Julian J. Nelson and Mr. Johnny S. Montgomery, did the overview. Ms. Nelson educated campers about what PTFP means, what it stands for, and what they should expect from it as students. Mr. Montgomery and the volunteers coordinated the Team Building aspect of the camp, setting up leadership within each team through a democratic process.
The next session started with Ms. Vaiba Flomo of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, who presented on the topic: "Understanding Conflict." She spoke on identifying common conflicts in the home, family, community, and school. She highlighted the causes, effects, and solutions of conflict. The 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee climaxed the first day's camp activities. She excitedly appreciated the campers and conducted a 10-minute spelling bee that awarded Team Blue a cash prize, thus making them the first team to win an award at the camp.
2.0 SECOND DAY - PEACE BUILDING
The second day (August 8, 2022) began with the early morning "Rise and Shine" competition, with Teams Orange and Green winning the first and second prizes, respectively. The Camp Director, Leymah Gbowee, taught the campers a new song, "I Have a New Life." There were three sessions, Moral and Ethics, Non–Violence and Peace and Religious Tolerance, facilitated by Messrs. Captan, Varpilah, and Imam Passewe, respectively.
Moral and Ethics: The facilitator emphasized Respect, Competence, and Integrity/Honesty.
Non–Violence and Better Peace – The facilitator defined Violence as the absence of peace. He further stated that to become peaceful, one must choose to be at peace with himself first and the community at large.
Religious Tolerance: The facilitator emphasized that respecting others' choice of worship is paramount in achieving religious stability. He concluded his presentation by saying that a heart of acceptance and respect is what all need.
Climaxing the day was a screening of the movie titled, "Homeless to Harvard ." A movie daring campers to dream big and never allow life's circumstances to hinder their journey toward change and progress. Most importantly, the film implies that change itself is a choice and a decision anyone who desires to leave a mark must take at the appropriate time.
3.0 THIRD DAY - OUR VOICES
Team Brown won the “Rise and Shine” competition. The sessions for the third day (August 9, 2022) focused on Civic Education, Social Justice and Advocacy, Peer Pressure, and Drug addiction. These topics were designed to help campers learn about their country’s history, rights and duties as citizens, justice, and the causes, effects, and prevention of peer pressure and drug addiction. Like many previous sessions, campers highly engaged in these sessions as they revolved around teens and were familiar with their everyday lives. A brief visit was made to the City Mayor of Kakata.
He encouraged the campers that being selected for such an experience should stand out as the best. After visiting the community and making brief stops to some stakeholders of the county, the campers retired to camp to have lunch with the Traditional Council representative, who later held a session on the importance of their culture and traditions. Games and getting to know each other better followed, and a movie night showing ‘Lean on Me’ climaxed day three.
4.0 FOURTH DAY - OUR COMMUNITY
The fourth day (August 10, 2022) began with “Rise and Shine,” with five joint winners, followed by devotion led by Team Brown. Team Orange led a recap of the previous days’ activities.
Next was a visit to the Peter Sayklon Orphanage Home and Farm located at upper Margibi, Bong Mines Road. The objective was for the campers to socialize with the orphans and carry out a service project on the farm by plowing the farmland by weeding. The proprietress Martha T. W. Sayklon, the staff, and the children held an indoor program. Mother Sayklon facilitated a session on the importance of knowing what you eat and how to take care of your garden or farmland.
The next visit was a visit with Former Senator Oscar Cooper. He encouraged the campers to stay focused on their education and use the opportunity the Gbowee Foundation gave. At his school, the campers met with his team of teachers, who held a quizzing session on phonics and current events. They later played basketball at Senator Cooper’s residence. A night of Talent Show climaxed on Day four (4), where campers showed off their God-given talents of rap, dances, acting, and singing during this informal period.
5.0 FIFTH DAY - OUR GOVERNMENT
The fifth day (August 11, 2022) began with breakfast and the entire team boarding two buses for a trip of about 45 miles from Kakata to Monrovia. Upon arrival at the Capitol, the campers were led on a tour of the Capitol Building by the Program Manager, Mr. David Konneh, as the lawmakers were on their Constituency Break.
Later they went to meet the Chief Justice, where his Administrative Assistant briefly gave an overview of the procedures and operations of the Judiciary Branch of Government. The arrival of Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, Sr. was announced as he entered the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia as everyone stood. Madam Leymah R. Gbowee made an opening statement highlighting the visit's objectives, which has been a PTFP tradition for the past six (6) years. Chief Justice Korkpor welcomed everyone and enlightened the campers on how he became Chief Justice and the roles and responsibilities of other Justices of the Supreme Court.
Next, he held an intense session of questions and answers with both campers and volunteers, which he answered. One camper with a disability asked, "why is it that people with disability are not treated equally under the law, or is the law only meant for people who can hear, talk, see, or walk?"
The campers boarded the bus and departed the Supreme Court for Sharks Entertainment Center on Airfield, Sinkor, to have lunch with GPFA’s Board of Trustees members. They sat in teams to share their experiences of their visits to the Capitol Building and the Supreme Court through a time of quizzing facilitated by Madam Gbowee. After a scrumptious meal, the campers were ushered on the bus to Kakata. Back in Kakata, the campers visited Senator Cooper’s farm and had much fun. The day climaxed at the Kem’s Guest House with a talent show among themselves.
6.0 DAY SIX - YOUR FUTURE
The final day of camp (August 12, 2022) started with devotion and breakfast. Two sessions were facilitated by Mrs. Monjay George Pratt, who talked about “Choosing Career,” and Dr. Patience Dobson Barcon, who discussed “Personal Hygiene.”
After these sessions, everyone gathered outside for the closing program. Each camper was presented two pictures in frames; one with their group members and the other a historic group picture with Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, Sr., who was expected to retire in a few weeks. Each received a book bag and cash prize money for participating in competitions.
Team Brown members carried the highest amount, equivalent to US$13.30 each. Team Blue (US$12) each, Orange and Green (US$11.30), and Yellow (US$8.00) each.
The Peace Ambassador for the 7th PTFP camp, John Blamo, from Team yellow, received a one-year scholarship from GPFA, a cash prize of (US$150.00) and the opportunity to sponsor any project he decides to do in his community. Korpo Flomo won the best volunteer award chosen by the campers.
