"Here I realized that Play for Peace can be used to spread joy by helping people who have suffered and are affected by conflict. It can gradually make people happy and peaceful." - Mon Ley, Play for Peace trainer in Myanmar
Here is another story from Mon Ley, a Play for Peace trainer in Myanmar and a teacher at SEMS (Socially Engaged Monastic School) who was recently in Lashio (pronounced “lar-show”). Located near the Chinese border, the area has been deeply affected by the war between ethnic Chinese rebels and Myanmar government forces.
“In December 2015 I went to Lashio IDP camp in Northern Shan State to provide some food and to do Play for Peace with children in an IDP camp.
At first when I tried to call children for playing, no one showed interested. They did not even bother to reply to me. I think they were affected in their mind because of the conflict. I was curious to know so I tried interacting with them. Most children mentioned that they are in fear whenever they hear a plane. Everyone had same answer and it made me very sad. I kept insisting and finally they agreed to play.
When I did Play for Peace with them,
1 – Most of the children enjoyed and there was smile on their face.
2 – Elderly women who were crying when we distributed food to the children started to smile when they saw their children playing happily.
3 – Some youth who were reluctant to join us in beginning joined us later.
Here I realized that Play for Peace can be used to spread joy by helping people who have suffered and are affected by conflict. It can gradually make people happy and peaceful.”
