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| Representatives from different communities leading the group prayer. |
I didn't want to go because, honestly, I would rather help my sister (Inadoodles) teach her Art Class at CBTL Bistro in BGC than melt in my son's outdoor school activity. But it was my son's first major school activity outside of school and he was really looking forward to it. I'm glad we attended.
The event, although it did not disappoint in its promise of extreme heat, more than made up with the activities and the booths.
PEACE BUDDY
The best part of the program was that of pairing up kids from different schools to finish a set of activities in their "peaceport" together. This gave each child that joined a first hand interaction with another child who was brought up very differently, inculcating a mindset of diversity and inclusion.
A few weeks before the event, the parents had to sign up their kids for this part of the program. I left the option open and told my son what I thought about it, but told him that I am letting him decide for himself. I didn't want to force him into an interaction and end up disappointing (or frustrating) him and his potential buddy.
My son's buddy was a Muslim boy, Mohammad.
I was so happy when he decided to sign up for it. On the day itself, though, I was a bit worried about how my son would react. I forgot to brief him on the ride over (Yes, he needs to be prepared emotionally and mentally). But when they were called, he did not hesitate to join Mohammad with a smile and even went in for a high-five. (#ProudMomMoment).
I shadowed them for awhile until he said, "Mom, you can go around the booths by yourself" - a silent assurance that he's got it, as well as, a veiled plea for me to buzz off.
PEACE BOOTHS
There were a number of booths with various materials on Peace. It was only then that I realized the broad scope and the diverse meaning of Peace. Peace is also a kind of spectrum! It means different things to different people and, yet, if you really get down to its very core, we all want the same kind of peace.
The booths that caught my attention:
- Teach Peace, Build Peace booth. The booth had tarps on the movement's main strategies: (1) Nurturing Peace in the Heart of Every Child; (2) Building Peace Heroes Alliance; and (3) Institutionalizing Peace Education for All.
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| Teach Peace Build Peace |
- Christianity booth. It had a reading lounge area with pillows and lots of quick easy-read Bible story books and lives of saints. There was a huge board just outside where anyone can post their prayers and thoughts on peace. Going through what the kids put up on the board was both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
- Islam booth. The booth had various reading materials and cultural effects that highlighted Muslim beliefs and way of life. There was a board with some basic teachings which, I realized, had its corresponding teachings in Christianity. Outside the booth was another board with prayers and peace thoughts as well. What I read in this board was not too different from what I read on the Christianity board.
- Aeta booth. My son enjoyed going through this booth as the Aetas brought various unique products made of plants they grow. I saw some toys that were reminiscent of my childhood. The kids marveled at the simple yet ingeniously functional toys.
- The Army booth. Yes, the military was there and they had no guns. They even had male and female soldier mascots; and a photobooth that let the kids wear different uniforms ... even a camouflage that made them look like part of the foliage!
- The "-ism" booth. I forgot what it was called (Haha!). But it had different kinds of games that the peace buddies had to complete together. There was one that highlighted all the different ways people tend to discriminate these days.
Going through the booths was eyeopening for me and, I realized, there is so much more I need to teach my son (and myself) about peace.
SURPRISE TREAT
While I wandered around the booths by myself, I stumbled upon one of our previous neighbors I grew up with. I always considered her as one of my little sisters and, apparently, she considered me as an older sister. In fact, that's what she said when she introduced me to her boyfriend. While our kids mingled with school friends and new friends, the two of us had a marathon catch-up over iced coffee, while dutifully taking photos and videos of our kids.
We were both very happy to find out, that, without our prompting (or conniving), our kids met each other in school and hit it off instantly --- even though they belong to different grade levels with very different dispositions (her daughter is an introvert, while my son is an extrovert). It just goes to show how much we are limiting ourselves once we start putting labels on people.
That said, knowing that my son has an "older sister" watching his back in school definitely gives me some peace of mind.
THE END OF THE FAIR
We had to leave before my son's class had their presentation, since we had to catch an anticipated Mass. (We had a scheduled Sunday hike the following day and wanted to make sure we don't miss it). While walking towards the car, my son thanked me for taking him to the peace fair. I took the opportunity to debrief with him and exchange thoughts on the events of the day.
Me: "Why did you ask me to talk to Mohammad?"
A: "Because I don't know what to talk about and you always do"
Me: "You should have tried looking for something in common"
A: "I did. We both like Art ... and games"
Me: "And?"
A: "We made a peace poster"
Me: "That's it? Did you finish the 'peaceport' activities?"
A: "Yes po ... but I wanted to be with my friends, too."
I sighed. That meant he ditched Mohammad as soon as they finished all the tasks. I had hoped they would hit it off. I debated whether to go into a lecture or to park it for another day. I parked it and decided to talk about the interesting stuff I saw at the booths. "Read this," I said, handing over my phone with a photo of a Muslim kid's prayer to Allah. He glanced at it and gave it right back.
Me: "Did you read it?"
A: "Yes po, but it doesn't even matter because it's for Allah"
I looked at him in dismay. "I can't believe you just said that! Allah is the Muslim's version of God. How do you think Mohammad will feel about what you said?" My son turned pale and then looked at me in horror at the realization. I piled on, "How would you feel if Mohammad dismissed our God the way you did his Allah?"
A: "I get it now, Mom. I know. I'm sorry. I am still trying to understand and be respectful."
Social interactions and sensitivities do not come as naturally or as easily for people in the spectrum. A lot of the social actions, reactions and behaviors need to be taught and hammered into them. They follow patterns they learn and make them into rules. But the right reaction to a situation may not always be the same. There are other factors that come into play that help us determine the right behavior. It is in this subjectivity and discretion where the neuroatypical often falter ... and where neurotypicals need to give them more concessions.
My son was taught to be a staunch Catholic. His reaction came from years of pounding on him the Catholic doctrines and beliefs. Apparently, I have not done a very good job at teaching him about Christ's brand of Love and what He meant by universal Church.
I soldier on. So, help me God.
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| My son's and his peace buddy's peace poster |
