This is again something for moms with older kids (9-14 years old). If you’re looking for an activity that would contribute more to their psych, emotional and values development, this might interest you. This letter that follows was forwarded to me by a friend from High School, whose sister, Mardi Mapa-Suplido is Executive Director of Youth Aid.  It sounds like a lot of fun as well.  She writes:

Dear Fellow Parents,

“Yay, summer vacation!” — is what our kids are shouting!! And we’re wondering — which art, music, sports or dance classes are we going   to enroll them in this time??! 

So while we’re busy earning a living, running our households, driving through traffic, raising our children, trying to live a meaningful life, and helping to fix this country — all to make our world a better place for  our kids – may I suggest one more way? That we help our kids become  not just better dancers or soccer players, but also to join us in understanding, caring and working for that better world,  as young leaders and better persons we need today!        

I invite you to give your child three meaningful days of learning and sharing at our KIDS FOR PEACE SUMMER WORKSHOPS! It’s a 3-day workshop from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, for kids from 9 to 14 years old, at our place in Makati. This third summer, due to popular demand, we’ve scheduled four workshop dates for you to choose from: 

        April 15 – 17  (Wed – Fri)

        April 20 – 22  (Mon – Wed)

        May 6 – 8       (Wed – Fri)          

        May 26 – 28  (Tue – Thurs)

There’s a limited number of slots per date, so please text or email me soon to reserve slots for your kids. The workshop fee is only P1500 to cover art materials, supplies, facilitators’ allowances, and snacks for the three days; kids can bring their own lunch or add P300 for the meals. We will also have optional reach-out half-days of service after their workshop and throughout the summer at the Focolare’s Bukas Palad Center in Manila.

Throughout the workshop, our kids will begin to understand and care more about our country, experience the meaningful joy of being of service, and believe in living with and working for peace. Our topics range from values of unity and diversity, non-violence and respect for the environment, understanding their rights, and becoming a piece of the peace – at home, in school and in the bigger society they live in. We will be using creative learning forms such as games, song, dance, art, theater, film, discussion and interaction. Many of these activities are based on workshops that we have designed or participated in, from the spirituality of the Focolare movement for younger generations, the CFM’s Christian Parenting for Peace and Justice,  the 7 Habits for Highly Effective Teens, and other peace and human rights education centers.  

Lastly, just a short note about myself and the group: I have been facilitating various training programs for youth and student groups these past twenty years, in between my work with several peace and human rights government offices and non-government organizations. The Kids for Peace Summer Workshops is a project of YouthAid Philippines, a registered organization that organizes “Operation: A Day’s Work” with over 200 schools nationwide each year. I am a mother of four children, ages 10, 11, 13 & 16 years old, and I really believe that there is hope in making our world a better place for them, if we get our kids to join us now! 

To enroll your child or to request more information, email me at mardi@mapamail.com or text 0917-860-9250 or call 8162117.  And a favor please – do forward this email invite to as many of your friends and fellow parents. Thank you so much!

Mardi Mapa-Suplido

Youth Aid Executive Director

 

Tags: kids for peace, summer activity, workshop for kids, youth aid

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