War Toys for Peaceful Joys
In line with the celebration of the International Day of Non-Violence on October 2, 2011, the Ateneo Peace and Culture Institute (APCI), in partnership with Zonta International Club of Zamboanga City, will host an outreach project entitled War Toys for Peaceful Joys on September 30, 2011, Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the 3/F Fr. Manuel Sauras, SJ Building, Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
The APCI and Zonta believe that the tendency to violence is partly caused by environmental conditions that are rife with war toys and violence in multimedia. Thus, this project aims to inspire children to live a life of non-violence and to show that a peaceful alternative is more beneficial for everyone in the long run.
Thirty pupils from grades 4, 5 and 6 of Don GEMS and Mampang Elementary School shall engage in this activity. They are asked to bring two or more of their war toys like toy guns, swords, knives, tank models, army men, action figures, laser guns and other gadgets of destruction. These will then be traded for educational toys, school supplies, books and slippers.
ADZU student volunteers will also be sharing the experience fun and learning as Ates and Kuyas of the children, with each one responsible for taking care of a child.
All traded war toys will be gathered and later be converted into an installation art. This peace art will serve as an advocacy for non-violence and will be exhibited during the National Arts Month on February.
Through this project, the organizers seek to inspire children to finish their studies and help make a difference in the future. It is also a shared dream that this simple act of kindness will ripple out and inspire other acts of kindness which, with God’s grace, encourage change, promote peace, and foster development.
