Today we had three events at schools in the Bronx, one of the large boroughs of N.Y. The first school was P.S. 5, Port Morris School. Thanks to Mr. Hector Morales and Ms. Rosalyn Leuizi, we had a very energetic program in the school auditorium with hundreds of children.

Some of the children in the art class created for us a very big and beautiful 3-dimensional poster with the theme of harmony and many words relating to that concept. On the poster were their handprints cast from clay with the words written on the palms. It was truly a creative and colorful way to express their heartfelt wishes for a more harmonious world.

At P.S. 4, we were welcomed by some children who ran with us as we carried the torch to the auditorium. Over 100 children shared songs and a traditional Israeli dance with us.

Then Mr. Vincent Resto the principal gave a stirring speech as he encouraged the children to promote peace and harmony in their lives and for the future.

It was a very generous and loving welcome for us and it gave us much hope for the possibilities of a more harmonious environment right here in our own large city of New York. The student council representatives, upon welcoming us, said, “…We are privileged and honored to be a part of this international event…We thank you for promoting peace, harmony and goodwill in the world. We firmly believe that you have made a difference in our lives and in the lives of others. We wish you success for the future.”

After leaving this school, we found ourselves in another part of the Bronx where we made it to the Courtland School, or P.S. 1.

We were again welcomed warmly with music from the band and the music teacher playing along with them. They enthusiastically played our theme song written by Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the World Harmony Run. The children lined the perimeter of the gymnasium as we offered our little program for them. They also entertained us with some poetry reading, singing and dancing.

The most exciting part of the program is when they get to run with or hold the torch. In this school there was not enough room to allow all the children to run with the torch and it was raining outside where we originally had intended to run with them. So we decided to let the teachers run with the torch around the gymnasium to the great delight of all the children. Then, as they slowly left the auditorium, all the children were able to touch the torch and make a wish or prayer for a more harmonious world.

This first day in one of five Boroughs of New York City, each being a city in its own right, was quite an energetic and uplifting one. It reminded those of us who were fortunate enough to be part of it, of how important and universally appealing the concept of harmony is, both on a large scale and on a more personal smaller scale. It also reminded us that the children are the ones who truly offer the hope of mankind that will eventually help us to save this wonderful planet and make it a better and safer place to live in the future.

We are ever so grateful to all the children and staff in these three schools. We look forward to the rest of the week when we will be able to explore and share the efforts of harmony and peace with many more children and adults.

The World Harmony Runners in N.Y.C.

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