Sadili's Court of Dreams for Peace

International Day of Peace (Peace One Day) marks a time of unity, harmony and celebrating humanity as a whole. On 21^stSeptember 2016 Sadili Oval Sports Academy through its Court of Dreams program joined the rest of the world in celebrating the International Peace Day with 75 Jitahidi and 100 Nazarene Primary school pupils in Nairobi’s Kibera Slums. 

Under the theme “Conflict resolution,” Sadili staff prepared a range of activities for the Peace One Day that was celebrated by the two schools separately at different times of the day.  Celebration at each school took slightly over an hour and the pupils played sports (tennis, basketball and other fun games), had group discussions on peace and sang peace songs. This event also provided a platform for friends who had been at loggerheads with each other to reconcile. This was done by simple acts of kindness such as shaking of hands, smiling and saying sorry. 

Noella of Jitahidi Primary School on Peace One Day

“I didn’t know people celebrate peace every 21^stSeptember, until you [Sadili staff] told us about it,” said Noella, a pupil Jitahidi Primary School after the session. “I have learnt a lot today, and I promise to say sorry when I have hurt another person, to forgive others when they have hurt me and to keep from holding grudges. That way I know I will be at peace with everyone” 

Peace One Day celebration at Nazarene Primary School

Throughout the week (19^th-23^rdSeptember) Sadili staff also visited other schools participating in the Court of Dreams programme with the same message of peace. They had different sessions with 50 pupils from St. Catherine’s primary school, 37 pupils from Becky Nursery school and 120 pupils from Karama Academy. In all these school, Sadili’s Social educators had activities similar to those that had been done on Peace Day, emphasizing on the need for the whole world to observe a day of peace.

The International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations in 1981, to encourage the world to work together toward the goal of worldwide peace. 

Kids learn basic tennis skills on Peace One Day

“We believe in empowering the young generation as catalysts for peace building,” said Kevin, a social educator during thesession with Jitahidi Primary School. “Children are the future of humanity, and if we’re ever going to have a peaceful world, we need to be able to have them celebrate peace day”.

The Court of Dreams follows the journey of children between 3 and 12 years, the age in which one can leave a positive influence in a child forever. Using sports, mainly tennis and basketball to promote this project, we are doing our best in encouraging better hygiene habits, attendance in school as a result of better health and therefore improved performance in school.