What does it mean to live in peace

International Day of Living Together in Peace

Homes First Society/Kendleton site

Client/Peer Support worker interview

What does it mean living in peace in a close community, where everyone knows each other? May 16th is the International day of Living Together in Peace, which sometimes takes a lot of energy, patience, resilience, respect, tolerance, and of course creativity. The Day aims to uphold the desire to live and act together, united in differences and diversity, to build a sustainable world of peace, solidarity, and harmony according to the United Nations https://www.un.org/en/observances/living-in-peace-day.

121 Kendleton resident and peer worker, AB, 38 years old, is a peer worker that shares his views and philosophy on community living and peace. His routine includes cycling often to get around the city and paths. He loves to engage in activities offered by the building under the care of Homes First Society. His main occupation as a support person is cleaning part of the premises, but he goes beyond his commitment. He helps elderly clients, or anybody else who needs it, so they can have a nice day. He also supports community activities such as “Bingo”. AB’s ancestry is a mixture of East Indian and Portuguese, from Goa, India. Goa is a beautiful mix of European and East Indian culture where the food is very delicious and spicy.

AB does not eat fast food, after learning about the benefits of fermenting your own veggies. After a week of fermentation, he easts his veggies as a side dish like sauerkraut or kimchi. Other activities that AB loves are bird watching, gardening and growing his own vegetables; walking. When his flowers are blooming and attracting butterflies, he sits to observe them. He loves planting milkweed as it attracts Monarch butterflies. When bird watching with binoculars, he enjoys the different types of birds attracted to the area where 121 Kendleton is located. AB goes through the forest down the path in order to escape from stressful living in the city, enjoy earth and the living creatures in it. AB says that as humans we are at the top of the food chain, we have a responsibility to help out the creatures that are naturally around us. AB is looking forward to the summer so he can get his own plot of land to grow his veggies, with the help of resources and information from the local library.

When explaining that on May 16^th , the world is commemorating the International Day of Living Together in Peace, AB responds that “humans are social creatures, and we need to do the best to live amongst each other right. When we live amongst each other, from different walks of life, you also learn. As in Toronto, different festivals take place year-round.” He adds, “I am glad that as a peer worker, I could be a part of a support system that helps people that could otherwise not help themselves. Also, when I’m going for my walks, I pay attention to the birds and squirrels I see. They are also part of my community”. AB’s plans for the future include getting healthier, more in shape, continue to cycle, improving his hobbies, taking advantage of the local library and other resources in the City such as the diverse Community and Fitness Centers everywhere. He wants to learn and do 3D printing, and drones flying as there is a racing community here, close to everyone.