PEACE EDUCATION. “I Am Mindanao” movement joins the “One-Day Peace Activity” at the Assumption Montessori School. Contributed photo.
With its goal to increase the awareness and engagement of young people, particularly the junior high school students, in peace-related activities, “I Am Mindanao” movement joined the “One-Day Peace Activity” spearheaded by the students and faculty of Assumption Montessori School (AMS) and Holy Trinity Montessori School (HTMS), and held its 6th mobile exhibit at the AMS campus in Balulang on November 11.
“While this activity is called a “One-Day Peace Activity,” I hope everyone would realize that peace is something that should be practiced every day,” Engr Jory Alfaro, director of the two schools, said in his opening remarks as he thanked the “I Am Mindanao” team for partnering with them and help make the event a reality.
During the program, select students were also asked to share their experience getting along with their classmates who come from different religions and background. One student named Ibrahim, an internally-displaced person (IDP) from Marawi who transferred to AMS because of the siege, expressed his gratitude to everyone in his school for warmly welcoming him in his new environment.
One highlight of the peace activity was the launching of the “Make Marawi Smile” project initiated by the students and alumni of AMS and HTMS, which aims to raise 300 hygiene kits for the kids in Marawi.
HTMS alumna Jezreel Gaza Aguisanda said, “We want to give back, at least gamay lang namo nga ma-help bitaw in our own little ways of participation."
The event also included a turnover ceremony where “I Am Mindanao” team turned over information and education materials, such as posters, pamphlets, and flyers about peace to the two schools.
Assumption Montessori School and Holy Trinity Montessori School join the list of partner schools of “I Am Mindanao” in advocating peace among its students.
The first five exhibits were held at Mary Mount Academy, St Mary’s Academy of Carmen, Carmen National High School, Bulua National High School, and Macabalan National High School, respectively.
“I Am Mindanao” is a social advocacy aiming to: (1) Educate the youth about peace and violent extremism; (2) Strengthen their pride as Mindanaoan; and (3) Empower them to take part in countering violent extremism. It is composed of Development Communication students of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan.
Last July, the team was among the top 4 campaigns in countering violent extremism in the Peer-to-Peer Facebook Global Digital Challenge participated by 114 universities around the world. ∎