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GETH20 AND SAMBAZA PEACE ARE SERIOUS FUN
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
For the Kenyan implementation of the Sambaza Peace eLearning environment we are also developing a mobile game and a strategic board game
SambazaPeace is a cross media conflict resolution program in development, consisting of an on and offline cartoon based curriculum, a board game and a mobile game called GETH20
Both offer a creative approach to equip young people with alternatives to violence and conflict in their lives.
At Butterfly Works we have been toying with the idea of developing a (serious) mobile game about peace for quite some time.
Now that we have the resources to make it, we are thoroughly enjoying the current creative phase.
In Kenya at the end of 2008 an explosion of violence amongst communities after the contested elections took the country by surprise. The damage done, people killed, people homeless, people who lost their livelihoods were many, this coupled with the distrust that has grown between people has been detrimental.
The setting for the game is the informal settlements in Kenya.
Players aim to build houses, get water and earn money, however, the river can get polluted, houses can get burnt down, drought can strike and corruption is widespread.
If the players work together on community acts however, the bad things are mitigated and it is possible for all players to thrive.
The board game will be integrated into the curriculum of lessons and will also be used in youth groups and community centres in order to reach a large audience across Kenya.
In a playful manner, the game fosters the sensitization of the players for the peaceful handling of community problems and flags options and alternatives for common action and possible long-term results.
As such, the board game provides an engaging, self-reinforcing context in which to motivate and educate the players and fosters a non-violent lifestyle amongst young people.
Testing the Sambaza Peace board game in Kenya
Ghetto is a concept which Butterfly Works wishes to applied to other thematic issues.
It will be launched in Kenya at the beginning of 2010
See more photos of the game testing in Kenya Here
Visit Samaza Peace Here
Read more about GETH20 Here
