The Tibetan Park School prioritizes a humanized and lively education that promotes a culture of peace and focuses on the integral formation of the human being. In order to fulfill this purpose, it believes that the practice of voluntary service is vital for the full and healthy development of students who are already in their teens. It is believed that by stepping out of themselves to serve those around them, students have the opportunity to prepare themselves to serve the planet with greater responsibility and awareness, recognizing themselves from an early age as part of a much larger whole.

An example of an activity with this objective is being developed by the 6th and 7th grade classes together with their teachers. In a group dynamic, the students came up with possible actions they would like to carry out in a service project for the population of the city of Carmo da Cachoeira. Inspired by the Youth Campaign for Peace, they chose the name “Youth for Peace Junior” for the project.

For Brother Efraín, the educator leading the project, this type of activity encourages important values. “I notice that the students get involved with situations and people and that this awakens in them values such as charity, sensitivity towards others, empathy and openness to new things, which brings great learning and generates growth,” he says.

The first visit

The city’s Waste Sorting and Composting Plant, where waste is recycled and organized, was the first place visited. There, the staff showed how the sorting, processing and packaging of recyclables works and the destination for non-recyclables, arousing the curiosity of the students, who were able to ask questions about the process.

“Getting to know this place aroused the children’s admiration for the work that goes on there. They concluded that the city remains clean thanks to it and, in gratitude, they gave a basket to the employees with congratulatory cards and motivational phrases that came from the children themselves,” said Brother Efraín.

The second place visited was APAE, the Association of Parents and Friends of the Handicapped, which is a philanthropic organization with the mission of providing education, health and social assistance services to improve the quality of life of handicapped people and raise awareness in society.

APAE is home to a school for special children and the visit brought the students from both schools together. There was a round of introductions and a first contact to get to know each other.

The children from the Tibetan Park School enjoyed the visit so much that they came back with dental kits as gifts, interacting, deepening the bond and creating friendships!

“The project has only just begun, but it is showing that, in the face of need and differences, true values such as solidarity, charity and fraternity emerge in the children,” said Brother Efraín.

Check out the testimonies of the children and teachers involved in this activity at the Tibetan Park School:

“It’s good to know a bit more about what’s going on in the world and to know what happens to people, because sometimes we just stay in our own little world, we don’t go out to other places and we don’t see other ways of life.” (Abraham – 12 years old – 6th grade class).

“I liked the visit to APAE very much, I liked the time the children were released for the playground because they came out running and shouting, it was nice. I want to go there again.” (Maria Clara – 12 years old – 6th grade class).

“It was nice to learn how they recycle our waste. They told a story, saying that they found a live hamster in the bags, which they ended up adopting.” (Arthur – 12 years old – 6th grade class).

“The social project activities have been very special for the 6th grade class, helping young people to carry out transformative actions in their surroundings and take these actions as positive and transformative seeds outside the school environment, becoming multipliers of good.” (Aline de Castro, 6th grade teacher).

“Social work encourages and sensitizes students to look at the world around them and discover how they can contribute and build good with their own hands.” (Ana Macedo, 7th grade teacher).

The end of the school semester was marked by a visit from the APAE students, who took part in a morning of activities with the Youth for Peace Junior group and some young people from the Figueira Light-Community, at the Tibetan Park School. Everyone enjoyed a different and fun morning, strengthening unity and the bonds of brotherhood.

About the Tibetan Park School

The Tibetan Park School currently has 65 students enrolled in classes from kindergarten to elementary school. It does not charge a monthly fee and is supported by spontaneous donations and the organization of events held by families. The school is part of the services offered by Casa Luz da Colina, which is affiliated with the Fraternity – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF).

You can support the school! Get in touch with us:

(35) 99700-3049 – Joana // (35) 99860-9727 – Simone

Find out more: Instagram: @escolaparquetibetano // Facebook: Escola Parque Tibetano

Campanha Juventude pela Paz

Criada em 2016 com o propósito de apoiar a construção de uma cultura de paz no planeta através de encontros de oração e serviço abnegado.

Para conhecer mais sobre a Campanha Juventude pela Paz, acesse: https://juventudepelapaz.org/