Vandaeh Works



Classroom Suggestions To Encourage International Peace Article

How did the Global Peace Prayer begin?

It was around 2005 when I was very disturbed at the news and innocently asked myself the question 'What can I do to make a difference?' I decided to meditate once a month, and at the end of each meditation I was inspired to write a sentence. After a period of around 12 months I realised I had creatively put together a collection of positive words as a prayer and visualisation. Initially I posted the words to my friends and clients in the form of a printed newsletter. Early in 2008 I had a thought as to how the words could travel more freely internationally, and I was inspired to have postcards printed. Initially I decided to have 5,000 printed, and within 6 weeks they had all flown away from me through people who liked them and were willing to share them with their own friends and family. There are currently more than 192,000 postcards passed on to over 115 countries in the world as at November 2015." - words of Vanessa Edwards.

For more information visit my Global Peace Prayer History page and the story told on You Tube (search for "Vandaeh Global Peace Prayer Journey") reference www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIeuttSo-Wc.

Give a copy of the "Global Peace Prayer" postcard to each child in the classroom. Consider and discuss the meaning of each sentence.

Choose 11 children to recite a sentence (one child per sentence). Alternatively depending on age group, time available and focus the words can be acted as a play, and/or recited to music with dance.

Geography lesson based on the travels of the Global Peace Prayer

Weekly website statistics have recorded sessions on the www.vandaehworks.co.uk website from over 115 countries around the world. This suggests that Global Peace Prayer postcards have travelled to these different countries.

  • Names of these 115 countries are cut out and divided between the number of children in the class ie: in a class of 30 children they will be given between 3 and 4 labels each. The children find out where their countries are situated in the world. A map of the world is placed on a cork board surface, and the children then take it in turns to come and pin their label on the map. This will provide a good visual to demonstrate how far the prayer has travelled. Alternatively there is an App titled "been" and the same exercise can be done individually if there are computer tablets available?
  • The children are then given 2 lists; the original list of countries they have now pinned on the map, and a new list of all the 257 countries of the world. The children can then delete from their complete list of world countries where the prayer has already arrived, and then decide the countries the Global Peace Prayer has yet to arrive. If anyone knows of anyone living in any of these countries we can arrange to send some postcards for sharing.
  • NB: Up to date lists can be sourced from the website (www.vandaehworks.co.uk) or supplied by email request via: vandaeh@me.com.
    How smiling can make a difference to world peace

    Talk about smiling and how it is an international language and the shortest distance between 2 people (being careful to talk about child safety etc). Give out a copy of the "Smile" poem to each child and choose 8 children to recite a sentence each in class (one child per sentence):

    Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu

    When someone smiled at me today I started smiling too

    I passed around the corner, and someone saw my grin

    When he smiled I realised I'd passed it on to him

    I recognised that smile, then realised it's worth

    A single smile just like mine can travel round the earth

    So if you see a smile begin, don't leave it undetected

    Let's start an epidemic quick and get the world infected

    Creative ideas and discussion on how everyone can make a difference and "Pay It Forward"

    Discuss the story of the film "Pay it Forward" where a teacher gives the class an assignment to think of something to change the world, and how they can put this idea into action. One of the students had the idea to do a good deed for 3 other people and not expect anything in return, except that each person he helps then helps 3 more people. This very quickly accelerates and magnifies the goodwill factor in life. This changes the students life, everyone in his circle, and even people he has never met!

    Ask the children to choose 3 people they would like to help ie a family member, a friend and a stranger, then how they will help them for instance helping Mum to unpack the shopping when they get home from school, allowing a friend to use their best coloured felt tip pens when their own colour has run out, picking up an item for someone who has dropped something.


    Time allowing, extra ideas to discuss based on the "Pay It Forward" message are:

    Three imperfect people. One perfect idea.

    Is it possible for one idea to change the world?

    It's cool to be kind

    The feel good factor from helping others.

    Believe in the goodness of human nature.

    Sometimes the simplest idea can make the biggest difference.

    Have You Heard? When someone does you a big favour, don't pay it back ... "Pay It Forward"



    See extra article and You Tube reference for further ideas:
    30 Acts of Kindness that Cost $1 or Less to Perform
    By Alex and Olga Karpman www.superkindclub.com


    For further information, ideas or assistance contact me.



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