Category : Global

Today, on Autism Awareness Day, I share a piece of my heart and journey with you. As a parent of an autistic child and the director of Play for Peace, I've learned invaluable lessons about love, patience, and understanding beyond words. From realizing the depth of non-verbal communication to embracing the beauty of stimming and appreciating the grace in processing time, my journey has been one of profound growth and connection. 

All day I tried to keep up with Alice. It is not easy, Alice walks very fast and is present in many places at once and with every person. She is very attentive. She asks everyone "How are you?" but these are not empty words. She looks deep into their eyes and they answer with the truth, a truth that is not always easy. She is a Lead Teacher for  Social Emotional Learning in Cambridge. Primarily, she works with children with trauma and mental health problems. When she started, she was alone with 7,000 children. 

In all these years of Play for Peace in Guatemala, we have shared with many organizations, communities, and people who know that this works to achieve changes for peace and a more just world. Abel Erim Aldana has been part of this community since 2008 implementing our work model in his community, Abel is a leader in favor of violence prevention at heart, he lives in one of the most difficult areas of the capital Guatemala.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding moments of peace and love can sometimes feel like a distant dream. From juggling work deadlines to managing household responsibilities, the daily grind often leaves little room for inner tranquility. Yet, amidst the chaos, there exists a timeless practice that holds the promise of serenity: mantras.

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Play for Peace joins forces with Colorado Mountain Club in a project to enrich students' social and emotional learning (SEL). This partnership marks a pivotal effort to integrate SEL more deeply into outdoor educational settings, recognizing its vital role in student development.

Since the start of it’s 25th year last September, Play for Peace has been showcasing on our social media the remarkable stories of our foremost supporters, dedicated volunteers, and valued partners who have played pivotal roles in shaping our journey over the past 25 years.

We're thrilled to share the incredible news with our Play for Peace community! Sixty amazing donors have come together, contributing over $50,000 to our Appreciation Campaign in the past few months!

A heartfelt thank you to Swati for bringing a wave of inspiration to Jawana state, Uttarakhand! Your efforts are truly commendable, and we can't thank you enough for sharing this incredible initiative with us.

Exciting News! Play for Peace is thrilled to announce our partnership with Donate Stock! Now, donating stock to support our cause is faster, safer, and absolutely free for you! Make a lasting impact while saving on taxes! Visit https://donatestock.com/play-for-peace today.

As we bid farewell to 2023, we can't help but reflect on the incredible journey we've shared with our amazing Play for Peace community! This year has been nothing short of extra ordinary, and none of it would have been possible without the unwavering support of our beloved community members, mentors, trainers, donors, followers and every single individual who has been a part of our Play for Peace family.