USA 15 May: Potts, MO - Kansas, KS
Today is the day we said our farewells to Missouri and ventured into Kansas. Most people in our team had never been to Kansas before. Most of what I'd heard about the state came from the 'Wizard of Oz'. But before reaching Kansas, we still had a school in Warrensburg, Missouri to visit.
When the team goes to schools we offer a peace education program which is simple, short and fun. To start with, we ask the audience to guess which countries we are all from.
Can you guess where Matthias is from?
These kids could.
If they guess all the countries right, we sing them our World Harmony Run song. I'm not sure if this is a reward or a punishment (we're mainly runners not singers)
Everybody gets to join in with actions.
Even the bigger kids.
Acting out practical examples of harmony and disharmony helps students to distinguish between the two and reflect on how to create more harmony in their own lives
The Mayor of Warrensburg, Mr. Don Butterfield (front left), was kind enough to pay us a visit at the school and offer his encouragement. Here he is being presented with a Certificate of Appreciation along with Principal Lorna Cassell (front centre)
The favourite part for many children is when they get to touch the torch, which is being carried all over the USA, and make a wish for peace and harmony
We explained to these kids that when their summer vacation ends and they go back to school on August 15th, the World Harmony Run torches will only just be arriving back in New York City!
Matthias and I befriended a tiger-dog who was lurking about on the school grounds
Then it was back to 'work'
There are some interesting landmarks in the Jefferson City area
At 5.30pm we visited a Boys and Girls Club in Kansas City, KS.
150 kids are looked after at the Club once school is finished for the day
Getting into it...
Priyala is originally from Brazil. She is one of eight nationalities on the US team
An important part of our program is taking a silent moment to feel peace inside one's heart. "If you do not find peace inside your own heart, then you will not find it anywhere else on earth." - Sri Chinmoy
Christian, who manages the Boys and Girls Club, leads the kids on a peace train around the gymnasium
This little girl overcame her fear and held the torch, with a little help from Shobhavati and Priyala
World harmony is fun!
Salil (right) had to go back to New York, but he will rejoin the team in California
Las Tortugas Mexican Food in Kansas City offered us a tasty evening meal
The owner and her employee Elsa (far right) were immensely kind, sweet and generous
Mexican hospitality continued late into the night with a bountiful gift of ice cream from Tropicana
A great big THANK YOU to Hilton Garden Inn who let us stay in their lovely hotel, where we were well rested and recuperated for a hard day of running ahead...
Video Message from Dr. Davidson Hepburn, President (2009 - 2011) of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for 25th Anniversary of the World Harmony Run and a vision for the decade: "Toward a Oneness-World".
Full Text of the 25th annversary message and link to 25 language informal Translations: http://www.worldharmonyrun.org/25
or Click on language button for separate youtube videos wth sub titles in varous languages
- Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice" International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way!
- Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min
See start of the International 25th Anniversary Celebration across from the United Nations at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in New York.
On 27th April 2012. in many cities around the world, special events marked the WHR 25th Anniversary
Distance: 91 miles
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