This past year has been one of extraordinary growth and achievement for Kids for Peace.
We more than doubled our chapters, from 50 to more than 100. We also inspired youth in 50 countries to participate in our 3rd Annual Great Kindness Challenge. Honored Jane Goodall as our Peace Hero. Published our second book: WISH BIG: Children’s Wishes for the World. And we made 650+ Peace Packs for children in Haiti, India, Kenya, Laos, Mongolia, Tanzania and more.
Kids for Peace is a global, chapter-based nonprofit that provides a platform for youth to actively engage in socially conscious leadership, community service, arts, environmental stewardship and global friendship. From our humble beginnings in the backyard of a Carlsbad mom, Kids for Peace has grown to 100+ chapters, spanning six continents, in less than five years. We welcomed 50+ new chapters in the past year, including several in Africa.
To strengthen ties with our new African friends, last summer a California Kids for Peace group went on a multi-country tour. Adult leaders provided training for new chapters and inaugurated our first international Kids for Peace school. And the California kids personally delivered “Peace Packs” to African children.
Peace Packs are hand-painted knapsacks filled with school supplies, toiletries, a toy and a personal note of friendship. In the past year, our members made 650+ Peace Packs, sending them to countries as diverse as Haiti, India, Kenya, Laos and Mongolia.
Each August we present The Great Kindness Challenge, one day where kids around the world perform acts of kindness, choosing from a checklist of 50 suggestions. Our 2010 Challenge, the 3rd annual event, reached 50 countries, spanning six continents. For August 2011 our goal is 1+ million youth in 100+ countries.
Every year our members vote for a Peace Hero. In September our kids proudly presented the award to Jane Goodall. We will announce our 2011 Peace Hero this summer. Another recent achievement was the launch of our second book, “WISH BIG: Children’s Wishes for the World,“ a collection of vibrant and inspiring artwork. The first copy was just handed to the Dalai Lama.
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We look forward to building on these achievements in the coming year. In 2011 we aim to double in size, with a special focus on adding school-based chapters, school programs, and Kids for Peace schools. Moreover, we are creating a worldwide movement, one based on the practice of kindness, unity and respect.
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