Fambul Tok

Fambul Tok International (FTI) originated in the realization that peace can’t be imposed from the outside, or from the top down.  Nor does it need to be.  The community led and owned reconciliation process we supported, witnessed and celebrated in Sierra Leone has taught us that communities have within them the resources they need for their own healing.  We believe the Fambul Tok process has much to offer other post-conflict countries—and the western world.

(Read more about the origins of Fambul Tok in Sierra Leone.)

THE FAMBUL TOK PROCESS — OUR ASSUMPTIONS

The very people and places most ravaged by war can also be the most powerful resources in the painstaking work of rebuilding lives, reknitting communities, reconstructing nations. And yet the people most impacted by war are often the least consulted by the international community in post-war rebuilding efforts. With Fambul Tok, we recognize the transformative power of what is often overlooked — the courage and grace of ordinary people; the communal impulse to be whole again and to move past the ravages of the war; the cultural wealth of traditions and practices of reconciliation. Recognizing and building upon these resources is at the heart of the Fambul Tok approach.

Fambul Tok is modeling a new, community-led approach to post-war reconstruction that walks alongside ordinary people, helping them reawaken cultural practices of acknowledgement, apology and forgiveness; rebuild their communities; and lay the groundwork for development and sustainable peace.  The work in post-conflict settings reveals the implications of the Fambul Tok process in any setting, and helps unleash the power of a “whole community.”

THE FAMBUL TOK PROCESS – WHAT WE DO

PRACTICE

We are dedicated to advancing peace by mobilizing ordinary people—entire communities ravaged by war—in the hard work of reconciliation.

See Fambul Tok in action in Sierra Leone.

STORYTELLING

The stories shared in these community “family circles” reverberate far beyond the light of the community bonfire. Our goal is to “expand the tok” — to help the world see these stories more clearly and learn from them more fully.  What’s possible in your community?  Let these stories inspire you to new possibilities.

Take your seat at a truth-telling bonfire through the Fambul Tok film.

Our story gathering directly feeds back into our practice on the ground.  As the grace and courage of ordinary people is illuminated, we ask — How can we build on those stories to support the already existing good, encourage its development, and make room for the hidden potential to grow and flourish?

EDUCATION

At the heart of the Fambul Tok approach is our commitment to sharing forward what we’ve learned on the ground with others interested in the practice of community reconciliation. We consult with individuals and organizations that want to practice community reconciliation. We create learning communities to support this practice. And we use mentorship and accompaniment as part of our training of committed practitioners from post-conflict settings.

Contact us to design a Fambul Tok consultation, educational presentation, or to explore program design possibilities tailored to your specific needs.