Peace Project China a Big Success
The inaugural Peace Project of the `Iolani Peace Institute is complete, and it was a huge success. Last week, the ten students and two chaperones returned after completing two weeks of community service in Xian, China.
There the students taught English to elementary school students at Zhong Bu Zi Primary School in Xian and also repainted one of the school's classrooms from scratch. The trip was organized in cooperation with an international organization called Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS).
When not teaching or painting, the `Iolani students spent time learning about different aspects of Chinese culture, such as language, history, and calligraphy, and visiting important sites of cultural and historical interest in the Xian and Beijing areas. The cultural activities in Xian were led by CCS Xian staff members.
`Iolani Peace Project China 2009 was designed to build bridges of peace through face-to-face contact between members of the `Iolani community and people in Xian.
The results surpassed all expectations, especially because of the talent and competence of the Xian staff that led the way.
Not only did `Iolani students make a lasting impression on the Chinese students and teachers they served, but the students and CCS staff also left unforgettable marks on the members of the `Iolani group.
Students on the trip were Andie Enomoto '10, Webster Ross '10, Chris Kodama '10, Andrew Ellison '10, Asia Ayabe '10, Rory Zia '10, Katherine Lum '10, Tiffany Cheung '11, Sydney Tamashiro '11, and Ryan Chang '11.
Chaperones were coach Allison Ishii and 'Iolani teacher Peter Greenhill.
You can see much more about the trip, including many more photos, at its official blog,
www.xoid.us/blog. Keep an eye out for information on future Peace Project trips abroad.
