anne-marie's Page

Profile Information

When it comes to peace, how would you describe yourself?: I am a born activist

What do you believe are the 'burning issues' today?: War, Hunger, Poverty, Violence, Human Rights

So what is it?: A significant contribution to peace in my country, South Africa, will be the tolerance of cultural diversity and the transformation of xenophobia to mutual respect for those of other African countries that have fled war and poverty to seek refuge, peace and a better life.

More: Past trauma of the apartheid system together with poverty drives an unfounded fear of "others" and this is fueled by anger and frustration. Violence is easy to express but peace is a state of being that requires compassion, self understanding and respect for the other - a more challenging task.

More about me: I work with refugees and migrants in an organization called PAX where we are engaged in challenging xenophobia in South African communities by education of youth, building networks such as refugee women's forums to build solidarity and documenting the devastating outbreak of xenophobia that claimed 62 lives in May 2008. Never again do we want it too happen

At 2:10pm on December 14, 2008, NDIOBA said…: Well...it's quite terrible to see all those people full of fear for themselves and their families. Sometimes I feel we are living in a madhouse. Luckily there are people like you to release the pain and heal this world. My own medicine is the music. Take care!

At 10:57am on December 13, 2008, NDIOBA said…: Hello,

I'm happy that the map was helpful. About rituals, I've heard about them, but it's not specific to Senegal. You find them all over Africa.In Southern Senegal, animism, totemism and manism (cult of ancestors) are still very strong. This man might be a Bassari (South-East of Casamance/Buffer zone with Guinea), or Malinkés - Mancagnes - Mandingues - Manjaque - Bambara.
If it's so, it's a small group (maybe 10,000 people) with only 7 to 9 family names. Often they have hairstyles with cauris. You could put the names of those ethnic groups in google images search engine...maybe seeing his people, something could come out.
Let me know

At 6:51am on December 13, 2008, Serlinpa Retreat Center Mexico said…: Dear Anne Marie:
Congratulations for your work to benefit sentient beings. Doing what you do, needs the courage it is so difficult to find in modern society.
Get showers of blessings from Serlingpa Center Mexico

At 10:42am on December 10, 2008, NDIOBA said…: Hi,

Thanks for your message. Great work you are doing. Africa is really in a so bad shape.
About languages in Senegal, we have of course many of them. Have a look at http://www.ethnologue.com/show_map.asp?name=SN&seq=10
This is the language map of senegal and Gambia. In Senegal we have French as official language too. In Gambia it's english. Maybe the person you're speaking is from the Southern area because there were some troubles in the past. But Senegal is quite peaceful. I hope he can read the map of Senegal and show you his area. Most spoken languages are Wolof, Puular and Jola (in the South). I'm from Dakar and speak Wolof.
Hope this is helpful.
Ndioba

At 7:08am on December 10, 2008, Cezarina Trone said…: Thanks for sharing...THAT is such a Beautiful Healing journey you are creating for them... the presence of peace and immense love within you is simply re-arranging these childrens' lives in allignment with the Light they respond to in ways they may never be aware of... you know, it is a great privilege to be placed where we are at this time, to simply BE that LOVE without boundaries or expectations...to watch the miracles of life unfold all around us, holding a true vision of peace for all...

At 4:51pm on December 9, 2008, Cezarina Trone said…: Hi,

It all starts with you and I right now... when I first arrived in Niger at my school there was no exposure to yoga and the children became my guiding LIGHT through this seemingly chaotic dance of NEW consciousness. Each day now when I do yoga with them during the morning routines and when we sing and dance a NEW DAY into existence I KNOW WE ARE the ONES we have been waiting for so long...

Our life is a MIRACLE in progress... Namaste, Cezarina

At 2:06am on December 5, 2008, Genevieve Auter.Duret said…: Bonjour Anne-Marie ,

Nous sommes tous heureux de t’accueillir parmi les membres de iPeace, notre bel espace de paix. Si tu le souhaites, tu peux aussi non seulement visiter iPeace francophones, mais nous y rejoindre. L’union fait la force, et les petits ruisseaux font les grandes rivières.
Que tes journées soient pleines de paix, de joie et de lumière.

Geneviève des Antilles

Hi
Welcome to our beautifull Ipeace « land of peace »
If you speak French, or simply want to have a look at our french-speaking group, please go to iPeace francophones and if you like it, join us. The more we are, the best it is.
May your days be filled with peace, joy and light
Genevieve from West Indies

At 1:45pm on December 4, 2008, Gill Birch said…: Welcome to iPeace, anne-marie and thank you for all the good work you are doing in RSA.
By the way, do you happen to speakFrench?
Wishing you a peaceful Thursday,
Best regards, Gill