“I think this (playing uncompetitive games) is a great way to show children of young age that collective things should be done peacefully, and the effect it has on their mentality is very positive and I believe will benefit them further in life.”
As a diverse global learning community committed to bringing peace to individuals and communities around the world, Play for Peace has trained more than 2000 dedicated peace builders who now pass on compassion and peace in different corners of the world. Aleksandra Trotsenko, a.k.a. Sasha, is one of our first PFP members in Europe. She practices and advocates for the ideas of PFP with her students at a boarding school in Rolle in the French-speaking region of Switzerland. Beginning in 2015, Sasha has been guiding her senior students (a group of 8-9 students) to develop games that bring joy to kids and junior students and help them build confidence and create peace. Sasha meets with her senior students on a regular basis to plan games and activities throughout the school year. During the school year, students are also invited to share their PFP experience on weblog. Here are some highlights from one of Sasha’s students on the rewarding experience and reflective thoughts gained through organizing and running PFP activities:
“Through this activity, I hope to learn how to be a trustworthy person around children, because I really love kids and working with them.”
“The games that we play don’t have winners or losers, and teach the kids that the purpose is to enjoy yourself. I think this is a good attitude towards life, and that not everything is a competition; some things are just better done when they are done out of pleasure.”
“I hope to be able to stop any conflict between kids and make sure everyone ends up happy and pleased.”
For the previous school years, Sasha and her senior students organized several PFP sessions within their school and visited other schools where they played with children 9-12 years old. They have also held a session at a refugee centre to bring the ideas of peace and compassion to the refugee youth through fun and positive bond-building games. Both students and refugee youth enjoyed their moments playing and learning together. More PFP sessions will continue to run for the current school year and the reason is well highlighted by Sasha’s student:
“I think this (playing uncompetitive games) is a great way to show children of young age that collective things should be done peacefully, and the effect it has on their mentality is very positive and I believe will benefit them further in life.”
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