An Interview with Johnson Laizer

Earlier this year, Johnson Laizer joined the Mwangaza staff as the Communications Coordinator. He documents Mwangaza’s work and shares it on social media, creating video and photo content. He also coordinates closely with the Friends of Mwangaza Development Coordinator to create content for the newsletter and website. In addition to his excellent skill at communications, Johnson is trained in nonviolent communication and is deeply committed to peace.

We asked him a few questions about his background and interest in Mwangaza’s mission.

Hi Johnson! Welcome! Tell us what kind of stuff you’ve been doing for Mwangaza.

At Mwangaza, I serve as the Communication Coordinator, managing our social media presence on Instagram and Facebook. My role involves creating and curating content that highlights our initiatives, successes, and the stories of the people we support. I also collaborate with other team members to ensure our message is consistent and impactful across all our communications.

What excites you about working with Mwangaza?

One of the things I love most about working at Mwangaza is the teamwork and collaboration among all the workers. The dedication to supporting each individual, regardless of age or background, is truly inspiring. Our team is committed to promoting a safe learning environment for students and is constantly coming up with creative ways to teach and engage. Regardless of age, everyone on the team participates in youth activities to ensure the students' learning and engagement. This collective effort and commitment to innovation are what make our work so exciting and fulfilling.

I'm particularly excited about our ongoing projects aimed at enhancing educational experiences and expanding our reach to more schools and communities.

Mwangaza’s work centers on non-violence. What has non-violence taught you?

Non-violence has imparted many wonderful lessons in my life. It has taught me to be aware of my own needs and to take care of them without fear. I've learned to speak honestly from my heart and to carve out time for myself, which I call "Johnson time," to reflect and give empathy to myself. Non-violence has also taught me to take responsibility for my feelings, allowing me to interact with others more compassionately and constructively. Lastly, creating connections with everyone through various ways to create a safe openness where we can have mutual connection and understanding.

Why is it important for students and teachers to learn non-violence?

In a world rife with conflict and violence, it is essential for students and teachers to learn non-violence because much of this violence starts with communication. Why do students escape school? Why do teachers have stress? It all starts with ourselves, how we communicate with ourselves.

Non-violence is not just about avoiding physical actions; it's about the language we use and the way we interact with ourselves and others. Learning non-violent communication is like learning a new language, one that fosters mutual understanding and connection. It teaches us to recognize and take care of our own feelings and needs while being empathetic to ourselves and others. By adopting this approach, we can build more peaceful and harmonious communities, where conflicts are resolved through understanding and compassion rather than aggression.