UN International Day of Peace
Sept. 21 is the day designated by the United Nations as International Day of Peace and our celebration of it here at Halcyon Days was inspiring. We decided to have the classes discuss peace and the UN declaration independently for the first hour. After the break for tea/prayers, the 3 classes came together to create friendship bracelets and then watch Malala's address to the United Nations. It was wonderful to see the Afghan, Somali, Syrian and Iranian women helping each other to create beautiful, colorful bracelets. Since no pictures are allowed of the students, I could only post this one of bracelets made by my students for me.
During Malala's speech, the lower level students read the text in Farsi, Somali or Arabic and watched the video; higher level students read along with the closed captions in English. The speech is so inspiring (it's on YouTube) and the students and instructors were moved by her courage and commitment. Students said she was "a hero" and "very brave." Hopefully her story will encourage them when they are dealing with the difficulties of living in caps, integrating into Greek culture or moving on to Germany.
For me, hearing Malala's words and discussing with the other instructors (over a glass of wine) what they have each done in the past really confirmed my decision to come here and teach. There is a huge need to help the refugees who come by the hundreds every day. It would be a difficult situation for any country, but the Greek economy is probably one of the least able to withstand the impact of thousands looking to escape war and violence, needing to work, and wanting to find a place to raise a family. Helping them to learn English and feeding the homeless can ease that stress slightly and allow me to make the world a better place.
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| Bracelets that my students made for me |
During Malala's speech, the lower level students read the text in Farsi, Somali or Arabic and watched the video; higher level students read along with the closed captions in English. The speech is so inspiring (it's on YouTube) and the students and instructors were moved by her courage and commitment. Students said she was "a hero" and "very brave." Hopefully her story will encourage them when they are dealing with the difficulties of living in caps, integrating into Greek culture or moving on to Germany.
For me, hearing Malala's words and discussing with the other instructors (over a glass of wine) what they have each done in the past really confirmed my decision to come here and teach. There is a huge need to help the refugees who come by the hundreds every day. It would be a difficult situation for any country, but the Greek economy is probably one of the least able to withstand the impact of thousands looking to escape war and violence, needing to work, and wanting to find a place to raise a family. Helping them to learn English and feeding the homeless can ease that stress slightly and allow me to make the world a better place.
Thanks T!
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