Myanmar is home to a variety of ethnicities and religions. Since the country’s independence in 1948, civil war has persisted between these many factions. Teaching tolerance is not simply a positive prospect, but a crucial one.
Founded in 2004, Whispering Seed is an awesome not-for-profit! Identified as a "village-based Home for Children from Myanmar and a Community Living & Learning Centre” (Global Giving, 2015), the organization works in Myanmar and Thailand to promote sustainable living and holistic education. Whispering Seed facilitates a variety of projects for both children and adults. They provide homes and education for orphaned and at-risk kids, training in areas such as youth empowerment and child development, and much more.
Jim Connor, founder of WS, recently invited Play for Peace trainers Swati Bhatt and Agyatmitra Shunya, to represent Play for Peace in Myanmar. Together they have drawn up an exciting plan. It begins with a training session for participants from various organizations in the field of Peace and Conflict Resolution: this is set to take place in Bago, a city that sits 50 miles northeast of Yangon. Next is a youth empowerment training featuring both PFP and the Brighten Foundation, an organization that helps children learn self-awareness. This will take place with the Pa-O community, an ethnic minority living in Shan State. Bringing Play For Peace to Myanmar is an exciting prospect. This is an opportunity to share our core values with a new community, and to connect with several organizations that demonstrate shared goals and attitudes. Indeed, our dedication to celebrating diversity is enhanced across both organizations and cultures. Much in alignment with Play For Peace, Whispering Seed believes that:
“...by supporting the diversity of cultures and richness of traditional wisdom within Myanmar, along with the integration of new models for learning and sustainable development, we are searching for creative solutions to the variety of challenges which Myanmar will face throughout the next critical years of development.” (Global Giving, 2015).
Indeed, Myanmar is home to a variety of ethnicities and religions. Since the country’s independence in 1948, civil war has persisted between these many factions. Teaching tolerance is not simply a positive prospect, but a crucial one. For this reason, Jim has also proposed that our trainers spend time in Kachin State, Upper Burma, where the civil war is so active.
There, Swati and Agay may be able to work with the inhabitants of IDP (Internally Displaced People) camps. This is a great opportunity to spread the Play for Peace vision, and to assist in the important role that Whispering Seed is playing in this region. If you want to support this project we are fundraising right now please donate to their Walk for Peace crowdfundraiser here! REFERENCES Global Giving (2000 - 2015). “Whispering Seed.” Global Giving Official Website.
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