OR
Learn More About How You Can Help
Asia America Initiative is a 501c3 nonprofit supported solely through private contributions.
We do not receive government funding.
Your donation is
100% tax-deductible.
Search AAI Website: Follow AAI On:
Also available:
Japanese Translation
Contact Details
Washington DC Office
1523 16th St., NW
Washington, D.C. 20036
Telephone 202.232.7020
Fax 202.232.7023
admin@asiaamerica.org
Map of DC Office
Get directions
Metro Manila,
Philippines Office
|
PEACE CARAVAN BUILDS BRIDGES
On June 1, 2010, in Manila, Philippines, while religious conflict continued in neighboring regions, Asia America Initiative’s (AAI) Peace Caravan program brought together local children and college students known as “Catalysts for Peace.” The Caravan’s participants come from opposite spectrums of a society torn apart by ethnic and religious divide. Their mission is to bridge barriers within a fragmented and violently divided culture. The Catalysts from the Catholic Assumption College in the upscale Makati neighborhood joined AAI and held a Kiddie Fun Day event in the impoverished, isolated and predominantly Muslim Maharlika community. Although we are not a "Faith-based" organization we have found that people's religious beliefs can be conduits for healing regardless of the way in which they pray. In the Philippines, AAI's mission is to bring people together to recognize a common good for entire communities under one God and one nation.
The "Kiddie Fun Day" in Maharlika was conducted on the grounds of the Blue Mosque, a sanctuary well maintained as an island of Hope in the midst of desolation. The Fun Day was attended by more than 100 elementary school children, parents and community leaders. Many are families who live in makeshift “squatter” shacks after fleeing religious violence and severe poverty in the Mindanao region. In a standard trauma counseling exercise “game” the volunteers asked the children to draw pictures of what Peace means to them. As Catalyst Jian reflects, “Most of the children drew houses. Others drew trees, flowers and the sun because for them a clean environment means peace. Two of the children drew flags of the Philippines and said they just wanted to have peace here in our country.”
Photo credit: Dabet Castañeda and Bulatlat http://www. Bulatlat.com/news/6-43/6-43-port.htm 
Most of the participants had grown up with fixed ideas and seldom associated with people of different cultures and religions. However, music, dance and arts formed a common bond of joy throughout the Caravan. The Volunteers led an interactive unity of Faith through a book titled “I know who made me,” where the characters in the story were enthusiastically acted out by Catalysts and the children. AAI’s volunteers also found that by giving you also receive and that the human interaction is more powerful than simply giving toys and candy. Assumption Catalyst Maria Aljine reflects, “I learned that I should be open minded and love everyone and everything even if we have a different culture religion or gender, because whatever we are, we are all equal in the eyes of God… A child’s smile is transparent. Their love can be seen through their smile as a response to caring human contact. I generally saw more smiles when the kids were playing with the volunteers than with toys.”
The Caravans and Fun Days components are a form of peace mediation and non-traditional education where the human interaction breaks down the habits of lack of awareness and divisiveness. Without imposing beliefs or ideologies, community residents and volunteers learned that they have much more in common than they realized. Catalyst Florence recalls, “Muslim kids are just like Christian kids I met from the previous catechisms I have attended. They were like any other kids who want to have fun and explore new things. Like the Muslim proverb, “If you have much, give your wealth; if you have little, give your heart,” the experience also made me realize that you really don’t need to be rich to be able to help other people; all we need is just the willingness, perseverance and faith in God… Even after only a few hours, seeing them smile in spite of all their struggles in life inspired me.”
During the three hour event, large numbers of parents, community residents and religious clergy came out of the mosque to observe and appreciate the good feelings shared by all. The fear and apprehension evident when the Caravan arrived were transformed into a newfound sense of friendship and understanding. At an operating expense of approximately $1 per child, the Kiddie Fun Day ended with enthusiastic requests for AAI programs to be continued on a consistent basis. Catalyst Mona, upon return to Assumption, explained what it means for her to be a Catalyst for Peace, “I learned that I should be open minded and love everyone and everything even if we have a different culture religion or gender, because whatever we are, we are all equal in the eyes of God".
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PEACE CARAVAN PHOTO GALLERY |