Creativity for Peace

Women have always been seen as the minority group all over the world since the early years. They have been discriminated by men and have been known as being weak. It is not until now that women have had more opportunities like men. Women are usually known to work inside the house, to cook for the family, and clean the house. However, women are also humans and they deserve to have a break from cleaning and cooking.

The Creativity for Peace is a peace community to help girls be the next to be the leaders. Girls are given the opportunity to believe that she has the power to change her government and live without violence. Girls range from 15 to 25 years old. The girls are from Israel and Palestine and they attend summer camp once a year in New Mexico. The girls who go to camp receive training year round and the formal campers can become young leaders and they also receive training before going to camp. The goal of this peace community is to bring people and nations together by understanding and respecting each other. Other goals include developing skills of resiliency and self-empowering, leading groups, public speaking, and understanding of self.

Girls who would like to help or attend the camp can by filling out an application or e-mailing Anael Harpez for more information. Girls from previous years are sent e-mails and newsletters of upcoming events or they can see the calendar on the Creativity for Peace website. The Creativity for Peace community can also be found on Facebook which includes helpful links on information, photos and events. Formal campers also communicate with each other by having a home gathering in their country. Creativity for Peace is a non-profit organization and seeks for donations from individuals, families, foundations, and businesses.

The necessities for this peace community is to help girls be more open about situations or problems they may be having and sharing it with the other girls who may also be in the same position as them. Girls learn to be open and have confidence with one another. The camp has many activities which include arts and crafts to share their feelings and release their pain. They share a bedroom with another girl which then they get to know each other and share personal stories from their home town.

The Creativity for Peace community has changed the way girls think about themselves and promote them to have more dignity to stand up for themselves and make a difference in their community. Girls have more self-esteem and are able to show what they are able to do without having a man in power.