Dekha's Story

"In my culture one of the ultimate images of reconciliation is people eating together from the same pot, it means there is trust. When trust breaks down people fear to drink or eat from one another.

Preparing food can be the entry point for people to start engaging again - whether it’s in the field or cooking in a kitchen - the act itself draws people together as the art of making food involves a dialogue. When you come together to cook, you converse, you talk, a lot of important things are discussed.

In times of violence people are so divided they don’t sit and eat. When they can start to do this again it shows a powerful sign of peace returning. When the crisis in Kenya happened we worked round the clock mobilizing communities to resist violence. It was physically and emotional draining. When the day came that I could sit down and share a lunch again it felt so special. To be able to sit down and eat with people, that coming together was really critical.

Apply it »

Take some cupcakes into the office; surprise your neighbour with some brownies; or invite someone you are in conflict with to dinner. Cook a ‘Peace Meal’ and get all the conflict parties involved in making and preparing the food. Serve a soup, stew or curry, something that can be placed in a big pot and shared by everyone. Give each person space and time to talk during the meal.

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