The Peace Heroes 101 series are full, holistic programs geared toward after-school programs, youth groups, refugee camps, and other non-traditional educational environments. These units provide interactive storytelling scripts and meaningful activities designed to guide and engage your group in learning over the course of nine structured sessions. These 101 programs are intended to be used in any context, whether you’re in a high-tech classroom or gathering with neighborhood youth around a campfire.
In this 101 program, your group will meet Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, who faced the crisis of deforestation in Kenya with courage, creativity, determination and hope. Maathai created a tree-planting movement that spread across Kenya and empowered thousands of women to change the face of their country – and the world! Through her story, your group will recognize that they too can challenge injustice and inequalities and demonstrate social responsibility by using their unique gifts and interests to bring great change, one small act at a time.
In this Thich Nhat Hanh 101 program, your group will meet Thich Nhat Hanh (pronounced Tik N’yat Hawn), known respectfully as Thay (pronounced tie, meaning teacher). Thay was a Buddhist monk from Vietnam who began a nonviolent social movement to respond to the suffering caused by the war in Vietnam. This eventually grew into a global movement of compassionate engagement with those who are suffering. Thay shows all of us what it means to listen deeply to others, to stand in solidarity with those who suffer, and to value the dignity of every human being.
In this 101 program, your group will meet Rigoberta Menchú, the first Indigenous woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Rigoberta courageously stood up to the genocide of her people, using her most powerful weapon – her voice – to bring awareness to the plight of the Maya people of Guatamala. Rigoberta’s courage and tenacity in the face of unspeakable violence and tragedy helped topple a military dictatorship. She continues to inspire all of us to see the value and dignity in all people, refusing to dehumanize anyone, even those whom we consider our enemies.