Such actions make me believe that peace is possible, we just need to keep practicing acts of compassion daily.
Play for Peace has partnered with Compassion Games: Survival of the Kindest for the 2015 Giving Games! It is Day 10 of the Games and the reports that have been coming in are truly awe-inspiring. Compassion has proven to be contagious and Play for Peace has been a large part of that success. The best thing about the Giving Games is that there is no wrong way to play and many great ways to play! Some of the Play for Peace teams have been busy creating their acts of Compassion, like these inspiring reports that came in from Guatemala and India.
Christmas Activity - Food baskets and gifts for children! Submitted by: Colegio Interamericano (Guatemala) Colegio Interamericano has currently 1238 students from Pre-K to 12 and about 150 staff members. Every year, our school community organizes a Christmas activity for the 120 members of the service staff, such as maintenance, cleaning staff, cafeteria staff, security guards, gardeners, bus drivers, and monitors. Once a year we are saying thank you to those who serve us all year. Middle and High School students are gathering items for 120 delicious food baskets, which contain all sorts of items for families to enjoy during Christmas, such as hot chocolate, coffee, fruit punch, and cookies. The children of our service workers (between 0 - 18) are assigned to our Elementary sections, which gather Christmas gifts for them. This year over 200 Children of the service workers got Christmas gifts, wrapped and decorated by our Elementary children, who even made Christmas cards for them.
On December 7 we organized a big breakfast for our service staff, and our volunteer students, teachers, and parents served a traditional festivity breakfast. All workers received their Christmas baskets and Christmas gifts for their children, and many left with tears in their eyes. The true impact of the activity is that it´s the only school activity where the entire community works together. It´s the one day when our students, teachers, and parents serve those people who serve them all year - which is something unique for them. Our community is very loving and giving, and especially involved in community service projects. Whenever help is needed, the Interamericano community is there to support.
The Christmas activity is special because it supports our community. We are making Christmas for our service workers, who help and love our children just as much as the teachers do. It´s great to see kindergarteners call Felix, the man who cleans the Kinder area, by name and say hi every time they see him. So imagine the excitement of the Kindergartners to make Christmas cards for Brandon and Marlene, Felix´ children, and give a Skateboard to Brandon and a jewelry-making set to Marlene. Our society in Guatemala is very divided into wealthy and poor, and even though our activity has a charity character, it goes clearly beyond just donating. Our students are involved in personalizing the gifts, getting to know the people behind the names, and personally expressing their gratitude to them. Compassion Impact
| Volunteers/Players | 2867 |
| Hours Served | 3000 |
| People Served | 390 |
| Money Raised |
$6000 |
Love Animals! Zoo Trip and PFP
Submitted by: Play for Peace Hyderabad (India) We took our young students to a zoo to allow students to learn about animals and plants/trees around. Our children instantly taught me how to be compassionate toward animals and nature. I felt relaxed while going around the park and meeting and petting animals around. Compassion Impact
| Volunteers/Players | 5 |
| Hours Served | 3 |
| People Served | 35 |
| Money Raised | $0 |
Other Play for Peace teams have been inspired by the Play for Peace ‘Ways to Play’ guide, like this great submission from India!
Urooj School Compassion Report
Submitted by: Play for Peace Hyderabad (India) I conducted cooperative play at Urooj school. Girls came up with new games and activities and were excited to visit a primary school to run games for them. Such actions make me believe that peace is possible, we just need to keep practicing acts of compassion daily. Compassion Impact
| Volunteers/Players | 2 |
| Hours Served | 2 |
| People Served | 37 |
| Money Raised | $0 |
Last but not least some have chosen to participate in the Secret Agent Missions like this touching one that came in from Guatemala!
Compassion Games Mission #3 – Giving Gratitude.
Submitted by Sarah Gough – Director of Play for Peace (Guatemala) My daughter, Samantha Armas, chose to make a drawing/sign for her friend Aidan in Chicago who also is a big supporter of Play for Peace. She met him for the first time this fall during our annual Walk for Peace. Sam has loved doing this activity and completed it quickly on her own. Reflecting on this activity now I wish I had also reached out and thanked a few people but I was busy and the day got away from me. Does this happen often? Should I dedicate more time to thanking others who do so much for me, my family, and my work? Maybe I should! A great learning. Compassion Impact
| Volunteers/Players | 2 |
| Hours Served | 1 |
| People Served | 1 |
| Money Raised | $0 |
