By participating in Play for Peace, I know that different religions and ethnicities can unite and form a community.
While covering the elections in Myanmar from a different (and humorous) angle, freelance writer Matt Alsevich had the opportunity to meet with Play for Peace trainers Agyat Mitra and Swati Bhatt as well as a recent Play for Peace trainee, Kuhn Lar Bway from Taunggyi, Myanmar, to learn more about the organization and the practices. Here is an excerpt of Matt’s conversation with Kuhn Lar Bway on the impact Play for Peace has had on him and where he would like to take his training.
What did you learn (from Play for Peace)?
I got the ideas and knowledge to show to my friends and my nephew and niece and my native villagers. By participating at Play for Peace, I know that different religious and ethnicity can unite and can be a community.
What do you want to do with the training you received?
After I graduate, I will do a job in information and technology. I will also be a volunteer at Play for Peace. When I'm free or I have a holiday, I will do things that help children.
Why do you want to become a volunteer?
Because when I'm with Play for Peace I feel happy. It's like exercise for my brain. I feel better and better and more confident.
What did you enjoy most about the teaching style?
They use active learning. They teach in English but they use body language that makes us understand clearly. Their teaching style is understandable and they smile a lot.
Khun Lar Bway is not waiting until he graduates to become a Play for Peace contributor. This past week he took his new learning and conducted his first practice peace session (PPS) with 15 children between the ages of 14 and 16, at the Pyinyar Ou Yin Monastic School in Taunggyi. Take a look at the pictures from this day-long session.
