A W.I.S.H. Asia Projects, Ba Futuru, East Timor

Ba Futuru, meaning "for the future," is a peace building organization located in Timor-Leste (East Timor). Ba Futuru's mission is to transform the culture of mistrust and violence by providing people the skills and knowledge to create a positive future. Ba Futuru uses artistic, conflict resolution and human rights activities with children and youth to promote conflict prevention and also provides capacity development for government officials as well as for people working with children.

Ba Futuru has now implemented the Transformative Arts and Human Rights Education Program (TAHRE) with more than 500 at-risk young people providing them with the knowledge and skills to solve problems without using violence.

Recently Ba Futuru has developed a manual, "Building Peace with Children," in order to help childcare workers in Timor-Leste learn about the negative consequences of violence against children. It also provides ideas for alternative, non-violent, discipline.

After TAHRE program implementation in a high-conflict area in Dili, Timor-Leste, Sister Monica, one of the women who runs the community center commented on the program. She noticed changes in the children she works with due to the TAHRE program, "Their behavior has improved significantly," she said. "Before when we gathered the young children together for activities, the children were very wild and undisciplined but now they are much more respectful of each other and toward the Sisters." Parents of the children in Bebonuk reported that after the TAHRE program implementation their children could better manage their time to study and they demonstrated more respect for each other and were more diligent in school.

Joana Maia, one of the children from the Bebonuk neighbourhood, when asked what she learned from the program responded, "When faced conflict in my daily life I will try to find out what the conflict is about. Then I will find a way to solve the conflict but not by using violence; instead by using words."

From the very first implementation, the TAHRE program has increased children's ability to articulate their interests and needs. The program has also built participants' self-confidence and awareness about their role in creating a better world. There is no doubt that it will continue to change people's perspectives and subsequently their lives over the coming years. By facilitating healing among children affected by the conflict, raising knowledge of human rights and their relevance in day-to-day living and encouraging creative expression and co-operation, the TAHRE program helps to break the cycle of violence in Timor-Leste. It creates a culture of peace by contributing to the potential for a strong, democratic and human rights-based society.

For more information contact Sierra James at sierrajames@bafuturu.org or see our website at www.bafuturu.org.