Day 94: Celebrating Diversity

I think we all know that war devastates countries and communities.  The effects are long-lasting.  They don't resolve with the end of the war.  Often the effects of war persist for generations.   The hurt and pain caused between groups of people remains, and the result can be division and prejudice.

A school in Bosnia-Herzegovina is addressing this problem head-on.  Reaching out to children and families of all ethnicities, they are hoping to teach tolerance and respect, and to rebuild their society from the youngest members up.  What is beautiful about this school, Dzemaludin Causevic Primary School in Sarajevo, is that they aren't blending these children together and blotting out their heritage.  No, they are celebrating the different cultures by offering classes on different local languages - Bosnian, Croatian, Roma, Serbian - and cultural dance.  Other classes offered to these children include how to stay safe in the community by identifying and avoiding mines that still liter the city years after the war, and community outreach and involvement opportunities.

Our children learn what we teach them.  We can teach hate, prejudice, and disrespect.  Even without words, these lessons are conveyed.  My hope is that through our words and actions, our children will learn and live out respect, compassion, and hope for a better future.


Video found at ViewChange.org

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