SHARING PEACE WITH THE CHILDREN

Gilda Talde

I know that my participation in the Summer Peacebuilding Institute 2000 has been God's response when I asked Him for happiness. My experience at SPI 2000 brought me so many inspirations that I was able to understand how I can be an effective person to others especially in terms of bringing peace. That is very broad in concept, yet that is what everyone longs for.

As I was on my way home to the Philippines, I was thinking, "How can I make difference?" When I left, there was conflict. When I returned, there was still conflict; it even got worse! Where do I begin? If you were to stand in my position, where would you begin?

I knew that expectations lay ahead of me, as I returned to my country. I was challenged by those expectations. At first, I was not really convinced that I could work for peace, because in the first place, I was exposed to and learned with skilled and experienced Peacebuilders. And to do it alone would have been a big question to me. Still, I know that no one could ever help me except to rely on God. He is always guiding me and giving me wisdom about what to do.

How can a child stand as the future of our nation,
if at the present they are not given the right direction?

As I was on my way to the Philippines,
I was thinking, "how can I make a difference?"

I know that what I am doing now is just one step in bringing about a difference in the Philippines. I believe that it is very important to share peace with the children. They are the ones who are suffering from all the conflicts that happen all around us. How can a child stand as the future of our nation, if at the present they are not given the right direction? To talk with the children with sincerity, knowing their situations, feelings, and dreams are some ways to bring about differences in their thoughts. This is what we do as we are leading a series of sessions on peace dialogue in our areas. We are also strengthening the group of peer mediators we organized. Now I can see that it is one of the effective ways -- starting within a community --- to help children understand what they need to understand. These children will be the instruments in bringing peace in their own chaotic families.

Another challenging activity that I am doing as of this time is a series of workshops about the culture of peace. I recently had my first experience of handling a certain topic with a group of nuns. I was not used to it but I am still reaping the fruits of it --- I am sharing at the same time I am learning.

I know that what I am doing now is still a little step in comparison to the very broad needs in peacebuilding, but I still know that it is good to take our own single steps towards the attainment of peace. I know that with what I am doing now, and those with whom I am also learning, will enable me to slowly bring about a difference in my country.

Gilda Talde works for the Christian Children's Fund in the Philippines. She received the Winston Fellowship to attend SPI this year.