This is my last blog here and I wanted to take a chance to thank everyone with whom I interacted during the J-Term.
First of all, I would like thank Doctor Iyer for designing and leading the course. It was well planed and it worked out very well. As I also have experience in doing almost the same work related to designing programs and planing logistic, I completely understand how relieved you feel when things you planned worked out well. Being in charge of people abroad is tremendously hard but I did not feel unsafe or deprived of anything. (Except things you can do nothing about). The course you designed did not serve for me only as an examination of challenges for peace building in Mindanao but also as challenges to maintaining peace inside oneself under various circumstances. I was struggling with certain emotions, difficulties during and after the course but value of what I experienced weigh much more to me. I wish you all the best in advocating peace around the world.
Secondly, thanks to Catholic Relief Services members for bridging our team to experience Philippine’s culture, people, and the insights to the conflict resolution process. Being under your umbrella provided us with better access to the government institutions, different organizations and local people. Wish you Prosperity, Stability and Peace.
Thanks to all the interviewees for your sincerity, patience and kindness.
Thanks to all my group members. It was pleasure to know and work with you. Good luck with your future careers.
