WE ARE WAVES OF ONE SEA

During my Children’s Class one Sunday morning, I was teaching my pupils about elimination of biases and prejudices.

“We are all children of God. God loves us no matter what the color of our skin is… no matter what our religion is,” I said.

I continued, “And because we are all children of God, there is no reason why we should hate our neighbors simply because they have different religion.”

Jessica, my 6-year-old pupil raised her hand and confidently said, “Auntie Tess, you know, we have Muslim neighbors. My father said we should not make friends with them, because they are bad..” (Note: The Philippines is a predominantly Christian country.)

Stunned by her innocent statement, it took me minutes to compose myself but I quickly snapped, “No, that’s not true.”

I tried harder to explain to my class who range from 4-10 years old, how people’s preconceived idea, usually passed on by adults/parents to their kids, tend to become gospel truth to the young minds.

At an early age, some kids have formed misguided beliefs, which, when not corrected, these misconceptions will be passed on to their own children. It has become a vicious cycle.

On my way home after my class, I reflected on Jessica’s statement which was also supported by her other classmates. It was a childlike remark, but left me with heavy heart.

“What will become of these kids when they grow up to become adults? Will they ever taste a peaceful existence,?” I blankly asked.

As a mother, I worry for my kids, and for the other kids of this world. How would it be for them, 10… 20 years from now?
Today is World Teachers Day… and I pay tribute to my teachers who have contributed in molding me to who I am now. Most of all, I salute the mothers, because they are the first teachers of the children of this world. And as first teachers of our kids, we either make or break the future of our children.

It is a challenge to bring up children to become good citizens. As a mother, I don’t rely on the school teachers; I complement them. I reach out to other kids whose mothers, due to economic reason, are forced to spend more time earning a living than teaching their children moral values. I hope that the little sacrifice I do (my Sunday Children’s Classes is voluntary) would spell a difference in the future of my pupils.

Pulsewire has gifted me with tools and inspiring lessons I can tap in furthering my wish for this world. The knowledge that I am not alone in my ‘mission’, that there are many women out there who share my dream of a peaceful world is a loud whisper I could not afford not to listen. Ours is a peaceful fight… and we have the weapon: each other. We are waves of one sea that will water the seed of World Peace!