Civil Peace

In the story "Civil Peace", a tale of a warring nation's aftermath is told. Jonathan Iwegbu's family has survived a civil war with only the loss of one son, an ocurrance which in comparison to what other families have experienced, seems to be nothing less than a miracle. The phrase used between neighbors, "Happy survival!" sums up the ravages of this war torn area. Iwegbu's luck seems to run deep as he has also survived this war with a means to provide for his family by offering transportation, for a fee, with his bicycle. The tale continues on to paint a picture of what i imagine Haiti must look like in the aftermath of the earthquakes that struck them several weeks ago. Many of Iwegbu's neighbors are living on the streets, with nothing but the clothes on their backs and no food. Buildings have crumbled and are simply piles of rubble and the basic economic system which may have been present before the war has been completely wiped out. The severe poverty is apparent when a gang of people come to Iwegbu's house one night and rob him. Currently in Haiti there are reports of gangs and looting as people become so desperate to live that they will do anything to survive. However, this story also illustrates how communities can come together and rebuild as Iwegbu's "wife started making breakfast akara balls for neighbours in a hurry to start life again." Indeed, even after being robbed, Iwegbu's family rises the next morning and continues on in their daily routines. There is no doubt that war has taught them that this is the only way to survive and the resiliency of the people in this nation shine's thru this part of the story.