Turning the Other Cheek

Turning the other cheek (TOC) is an initiative of the Bright Doves of St. Francis following our activities of justice and peace to create awareness and promote justice, peace and integrity of creation values among the youth in Uganda and beyond. The program which begun in August 2011 has the following to note;

Objectives:

1. Creating awareness in an on-going formation, the values of our Franciscan spirituality highlighted in JPIC.
2. Promoting Active – Non Violence with particular emphasis on conflict resolution.
3. To pay special attention to the excluded of our society according to the reality of each entity with a particular commitment to the defense and promotion of Human Rights.
4. Considering and promoting the ethical use of economic and natural resources in our society.

Biblical views of “Turning the Other Cheek”
In the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says: You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. - Matthew 5:38-42
The program which begun in September 2011 has the following to note;
Our target group;
The Bright Doves in partnership with the rest of the Youfra groups in Uganda and all those that have undertaken JPIC-FA training work with the youth in three different groupings i.e.

1. Local church youth groups such as the Youth Apostolate
2. Secondary and University/college students
3. Local community youth forums.

Our approach; Bright Doves employs the following strategies as a means to sensitize the community youth on JPIC values;

1. Internal training of members  and formation of members to equip ourselves with the JPIC and Franciscan values and charism once a week at our official training grounds (KCC Primary School)
2. Conducting training workshops involving all youth at different levels at least once a month
3. Production and use of print outs on JPIC values such as Leaflets, pullouts etc…
4. Showing videos and explaining them to the youth at least once a week in different regions as per our work plan
5. Use of songs and role plays, skits and drama to pass on information about JPIC
6. We are still lobbying for Radio or TV programs where we can share JPIC values with the public at least once a month.
7. Community visits / Community Outreach programme where we witness the injustices in our community and share the real experiences
8.  Organizing retreats and prayer sessions for the youth at least once in a month
9. Community dialogue programs (Kimenza) where the youth engage in interactive discussion of different issues affecting our community and how best we could tackle them as youth.
   

Project Team
This program involves all the youfras that have undergone JPIC –FA training in consideration of their regions of origin (i.e. Mbarara region, Gulu region, Tororo region, Jinja region and Kampala region – including Mityana). These have full knowledge of JPIC values and therefore help in coordination and sensitization of the program in their regions so we can train and get more youth on board.