September
Published on September 13, 2022 by Teachers-For-Peace
September marks Teachers for Peace's 6th-month anniversary. In reality, it is not a happy anniversary because it marks 6 months of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 6 months of continual suffering, injustices, and devastation of war.
To me, personally, it is incomprehensible that there are places in this world where people live in fear of bombs, and poverty, deprived of education.
September has begun and with it the change in temperature, leaves, and routine. Students have gone back to school. People are trying with all their might to continue in their "new reality".
One of our amazing teachers, Mari, is going to do a presentation on Peace in her school in Japan. She asked several of her regular students to do a presentation and me to write a little speech. I was at a loss for words and asked our volunteer Ukrainian Social Media Manager to help me. This is what we wrote. I could not say it better. Thank you, Alina.
Peace? What is peace to begin with?
Peace is not worrying about bombs about tomorrow. Peace is having dreams about the future. Peace is knowing everything is going to be ok.
For children, peace is a wonderful period of carefree childhood. When the only thing you worry about is what toy you are going to play with. Peace is a fun weekend at the water park with your family, playing games at recess with classmates at school. It is the expectation of a miracle before Christmas. All of this is peace. This is what has been taken away from the women and children in Ukraine. Instead, they have to leave their homes and move to other countries in search of shelter having to start over from scratch. Not having their husbands, alone, in a country where they speak a different language. Or they are at home, living with the insecurities of what will happen tomorrow. Going to school and when an air alarm sounds running to the basement with only their emergency bag. Not knowing how long they will be there or if they will come out. The war has taken away any peace of mind.
The goal of “Teacher for peace” is to give the women and children of Ukrain peace of mind. Give back the feeling of control - the ability to choose a class online, and not worry about having to pay for it, or leave the house to attend it. In a way, give back the feeling of "usual life" to children and women affected by the war.
That’s why we’re working, and that’s why we want to involve more teachers and children in our organization. And we’d welcome anybody who wants to join us.
To me, personally, it is incomprehensible that there are places in this world where people live in fear of bombs, and poverty, deprived of education.
September has begun and with it the change in temperature, leaves, and routine. Students have gone back to school. People are trying with all their might to continue in their "new reality".
One of our amazing teachers, Mari, is going to do a presentation on Peace in her school in Japan. She asked several of her regular students to do a presentation and me to write a little speech. I was at a loss for words and asked our volunteer Ukrainian Social Media Manager to help me. This is what we wrote. I could not say it better. Thank you, Alina.
Peace? What is peace to begin with?
Peace is not worrying about bombs about tomorrow. Peace is having dreams about the future. Peace is knowing everything is going to be ok.
For children, peace is a wonderful period of carefree childhood. When the only thing you worry about is what toy you are going to play with. Peace is a fun weekend at the water park with your family, playing games at recess with classmates at school. It is the expectation of a miracle before Christmas. All of this is peace. This is what has been taken away from the women and children in Ukraine. Instead, they have to leave their homes and move to other countries in search of shelter having to start over from scratch. Not having their husbands, alone, in a country where they speak a different language. Or they are at home, living with the insecurities of what will happen tomorrow. Going to school and when an air alarm sounds running to the basement with only their emergency bag. Not knowing how long they will be there or if they will come out. The war has taken away any peace of mind.
The goal of “Teacher for peace” is to give the women and children of Ukrain peace of mind. Give back the feeling of control - the ability to choose a class online, and not worry about having to pay for it, or leave the house to attend it. In a way, give back the feeling of "usual life" to children and women affected by the war.
That’s why we’re working, and that’s why we want to involve more teachers and children in our organization. And we’d welcome anybody who wants to join us.
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