Girl is doing the hair for her sister at the SOS Children's Village…
Once again, children came together to call for peace and participated in the Global Peace Games organised by SOS Children's Villages Cape Verde.
- Lisa
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A girl is combing her sister's hair at the SOS Children's Village São Domingos, Cape Verde
Once again, children came together to call for peace and participated in the Global Peace Games organised by SOS Children's Villages Cape Verde.
The cities of Praia and Sao Vicente successfully hosted the Global Peace Games 2008 on 8 November 2008. Initiated by FIFA and Play Soccer, in collaboration with SOS Children's Villages Cape Verde, the games once again gathered several schools and were another opportunity to spread messages of peace. Recently, the Cape Verdean Ministry of Education also jumped on board to promote the spirit of non-violence and fair-play, by signing a partnership agreement SOS Children's Villages Cape Verde.
The Global Peace Games are more than simple soccer games. They should, as Mr Dionisio Pereira, director of SOS Children's Villages Cape Verde rightly explained, "not only be a moment of leisure and conviviality, but also a moment of reflection on the objective to eradicate the millennium's conflicts and an incentive to say "No" to all forms of violence". He also appealed for "more peace in our homes, our schools, our neighbourhoods and cities".
Prior to the games, the various schools gathered for the event had organised a march for peace, displaying various slogans calling for peace and understanding.
This is the seventh year such games are organised with the aim of teaching a culture of peace, friendship, tolerance and mutual understanding among people, from their youngest age.
An average of 600 children participated in the games this year, and many others came to support their teams.
- Mary
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Girl's enjoying the summer, they are part of a family that is helped by the SOS Family Support programme, Tbilisi, Georgia
She hesitated at first. Unsure about her abilities, questioning her talent, the girl almost gave up before even starting. Finally, she entered the contest to please her SOS mother and got an unexpected dose of self-confidence.
The school which the children from SOS Children's Village Tbilisi attend recently organised a literary contest dedicated to the famous Georgian writer Ilia Chavchavadze. The task was to write an essay on the topic "If Ilia Chavchavadze were alive..."
After reading the announcement on the bulletin board, 14-year-old Mary told her SOS mother that she's considering whether or not to participate. "My [SOS] mom immediately supported and encouraged my participation," explains Mary. "But, I hesitated..."
Book-worm Mary has been writing ever since she learned the alphabet. Almost without exception, she got highest grades for her compositions and essays, yet she always doubted the quality of her writings. In addition, she felt pressured by the greatness of the task.
"Ilia Chavchavadze is not only the greatest Georgian writer, but also one of the founding fathers of modern Georgia," explains Mary. "He was a popular public figure, a benefactor and leader who was loved by all Georgians. He was a passionate patriot and esteemed philosopher. Also, he was canonized as Saint Ilia the Righteous by the [Georgian Orthodox] church."
Mary says that she felt so strongly about the legacy of Ilia Chavchavadze, that she was scared to write on the designated topic. "I perceived the contest as civil duty, pay-back to society, if you will. I wondered do I dare to be involved in it?" she continues. "But I decided to take my [SOS] mother's advice and give it a shot."
Mary wrote with love and passion. "While writing I had mixed feelings of anxiousness and pride. At moments I felt sad, then optimistic about the future. I let my feelings flow and I put everything on paper. I literally brought my feelings to life in my text. It was a very important emotional experience for me."
After finishing her text, Mary felt a wave of confidence, which quickly vanished. "When I saw how many children participated, I lost breath," remembers Mary. "I thought I would never stand a chance of winning, or even being among the top five."
Mary's SOS mother tried to encourage her again. "My mother read my text before I submitted it and loved every word. She told me that even if I don't win, I should be proud with my work because Ilia, as he is commonly called by all Georgians, would be delighted with what I wrote."
A couple of weeks later, there was another announcement on the bulletin board. Mary approached cautiously. "My mouth was dry and I felt butterflies in my stomach. I came closer and read the name of the winner. It was my name," Mary's face brightened up with a big smile. He eyes glittered with pride.
Apart from the financial reward, Mary also received a certificate for author of the best composition. She treasures this piece of paper. "It gives me confidence and encouragement," says Mary. "It assures me that I can make it, but only if I try. I have to credit my SOS mother for supporting me to try."
Mary got a lesson from the experience which she gladly shares: "Apart from winning the contest, I learned to take risks and face challenges. I learned that the only way to succeed is to try. Sometimes you can fail, but you try again and again. At the end of the day, nothing can beat that wonderful feeling of succeeding."
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