Everyday Gandhis Project Inc

THE PURPOSE OF THE EVERYDAY GANDHIS PROJECT IS TO SUPPORT PEACE BY CREATING AND DISSEMINATING MEDIA(VIDEO, PRINT, RECORDED, WEB, LIVE PRESENTATIONS) THAT COMMUNICATE STORIES OF HOPE AND INSPIRATION IN THE FACE OF VIOLENCE. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EDUCATION, LECTURES AND PEACEBUILDING TRAINING AND CEREMONIES, PRIMARILY IN THE WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES OF LIBERIA, GUINEA AND SIERRA LEONE. THIS HAS EVOLVED INTO PROVIDING A SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM TO ALLOW EX-COMBATANTS AND OTHERS TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION AND BECOME LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY FOR FORMER CHILD SOLDIERS AND WAR-AFFECTED YOUTH TO FINISH SCHOOLING INTERRUPTED BY WAR AND THE CHALLENGES OF TAKING OF FAMILIES. NON-TRADITIONAL LEARNERS SUCH A ADULT EX-COMBATANT WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE ALSO INCLUDED. THIS EDUCATION INCLUDES HIGH SCHOOL, UNIVERSITY, LITERACY SCHOOL AND PERMACULTURE. SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ARE SUPPORTED WITH SUPERVISION, TUTORING, TRAUMA HEALING, MEDICAL CARE, FAMILY VISITS AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING IN SUCH SKILLS AS PERMACULTURE, TRAUMA HEALING, CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION AND COMMUNITY BUILDING. THEY ARE REQUIRED TO ACTIVELY ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE. APPLICANTS FROM THE UNITED STATES CAN APPLY PROVIDED THEY MEET THE SAME CRITERIA AS OUR WEST AFRICAN PARTICIPANTS.

THE PROGRAM AREA OF MEDIA INVOLVES THE PRODUCTION AND DISSEMINATION OF MEDIA IN VARIOUS FORMS INCLUDING DOCUMENTARY FILMS, TRAINING VIDEOS, NEWSLETTERS, RESEARCH, WRITING GROUPS AND WEB. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE THREE FEATURE-LENGTH DOCUMENTARIES IN PRODUCTION, A WEBSITE: WWW.EVERYDAYGANDHIS.ORG, A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED IN THE USA, A BOOK OF LETTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, PARTICIPATION IN A WRITING MATRIX LINKING STORIES OF PEACE AND HEALING, PUBLICATION OF ESSAYS AND RESEARCH AND THE GIFTING OF STILL PHOTOGRAPHS AND DVD'S TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND VILLAGES.

THE COMMUNITY RECONCILATION PROGRAM SUPPORTS AND ENCOURAGES TRADITIONAL GRASSROOTS PEACEMAKING IN VOINJAMA CITY AND STRATEGICALLY LOCATED SURROUNDING VILLAGES THROUGH INTENSIVE RECONCILIATION MEETINGS, MOURNING FEASTS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION.THE PROGRAM AREA OF COMMUNITY RECONCILIATION, PUBLIC OUTREACH AND ADVOCACY IS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE THE PUBLIC TO SUPPORT PEACE THROUGH SHARING STORIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT ILLUSTRATE FRESH THINKING, RESPECT FOR TRADITIONAL CULTURE, RESTORATION OF NATURE, INNOVATIVE MEDIA AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY STORYTELLING. THIS IS DONE BY COUNCILS IN THE USA AND WEST AFRICA, TRAINING INSTITUTES IN WEST AFRICA, WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS IN THE USA AND WEST AFRICA AND REGULAR CONSULTATIONS WITH LIBERIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, WEST AFRICAN COLLEAGUES IN PEACEBUILDING, ENVIRONMENTAL, THEATER, MEDIA AND HUMANITARIAN AID NGO'S.