GRASS ROOTS PEACEMAKERS

Some advantages of a program to send aid to African children’s education up to Grade 6 in the first instance, and up to Grade 12 when best to phase in, are:

•Aid would go directly from the donor group to the recipient school, giving efficient communication and administration, and getting the most value for the dollar;
•If the program succeeds, it could be expanded easily to other peacemakers groups and other schools;
•Success of the program is measurable;
•Good supply procedures could be arranged, procuring used equipment to the best advantage in many cities in the developed world;
•A good program for a “learn as you go” approach by the aid sender and receiver;
•Many opportunities to have donor groups relate on a one-to-one basis with African staff and students, expanding horizons for both;
•Explore the possibility of each primary school in a city or municipality “adopting” a school in a receiving nation;
•Excellent opportunity for children and adults in a donor country to become friends on an individual basis with children and teachers in the receiving country.

There is an endless number of projects for future Peacemakers groups. Examples are: special clubs for the blind; special clubs for physically handicapped children; and for those suffering from injuries due to landmines. These would be projects which physically handicapped children and adults of the more developed world could support. Young people with skills in engineering, transportation, sanitation and water supply, communications, lighting equipment, and farming could do “service corps” work in rural and urban locations.

The world of 2003 is facing a great chasm between the armed world of today and the disarmed world which we must have on some near tomorrow. Humanity must now take a journey that has never been taken before—we must find the road to world peace, no matter how long the journey and how heavy the load mankind must carry. We must advance along the road to peace, to emerge from the swamp of violence and despair into the sunshine of the broad uplands of peace and goodwill to all mankind. We can advance along that road only by the efforts of all men and women who will be dedicated peacemakers. We can all do our part, inspired by the words of the brave heroes on the doomed flight over Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001—“Let’s Roll.”