Rotary raises funds for peace

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE- Mary Sue Maurer, Calabasas mayor pro tem, signs a peace banner at the Rotary Foundation's fundraising party for the Global Classrooms for Peace program. The banner will be presented to the United Nations on Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace. JENNIFER YANG/Special to the Acorn On Sept. 11, a date scarred by tragedy, Calabasas residents gathered at Native Cafe and Gathering Grounds to raise money for a program that urges people to "give peace a chance."

The Calabasas Rotary Club's fundraising party for Global Classrooms for Peace brought in $10,000- which was matched by Rotary- for GC4P, an educational program that aims to bring cultures together.

GC4P, in partnership with the Calabasas Rotary Foundation, has adopted five schools in the Philippines. The foundation will use the $20,000 raised for construction projects at the campuses, some of which do not have electricity, water or proper classrooms. An additional $3,000 was donated directly to GC4P.

"We will be sending teachers to the Philippines in the summer of 2008 to carry our message of peace and cultural understanding," said Lori Hall, executive director of GC4P. "Our U.S. teachers will not only learn about another country and its culture, but through technology, we will build a bridge of understanding for tomorrow's students to honor the uniqueness of each other's cultures, traditions and beliefs."

Movie and television producer Debbie Robins, whose book "Where Peace Lives" topped Amazon.com's best-seller list shortly after its spring release, was the featured guest. Robins' friend, actress Dey Young, read an excerpt from the book, which was inspired by universal teachings of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandi, Jesus, Buddha, Moses, Mohammad and others.

"I'm really moved by what the Rotary clubs are doing, particularly here in Calabasas," Robins said. "I wrote this book to help kids and adults- me included- strengthen their peace muscle.

"That's one of the key things missing in our world," she said. "There's an omission of peace in our global education curriculum. Anything I can do for teachers, and teachers teaching peace, count me in."

Robins called teachers "the real CEOs of our world" and praised those involved in Global Classrooms for Peace. One such teacher is Christina Robinson, who has taught preschool at Campbell Hall School in North Hollywood for eight years.

"It was the full-on experience," Robinson said of her trip to seven cities and three schools in the Philippines last summer. "It was a lot to see. We stayed with families and ate traditional food. We really got a good understanding of the culture. I definitely have a better awareness and more appreciation for what our classrooms have."

The teachers who bring their knowledge and curriculum to the schools in the Philippines visit the country for 10 days. Hall said the shorter stays, compared to common semester-long or yearlong exchange programs, make it easier for a greater number of teachers to participate.

"They learn about the country they are going to before they leave," Hall said. "They are gone for 10 days and are able to bring back what they see and learn to their classrooms."

The Woodland Hills Rotary Foundation's GC4P exchange is with schools in Fiji. Teachers can apply online and will be chosen in March. Trips begin in June.

The fundraiser offered an opportunity for guests to sign the Global Classrooms for Peace banner, which will be presented to the United Nations on Fri., Sept. 21, the International Day of Peace.

For more information on Robins' book, visit www .wherepeacelives.com. To learn more about Global Classrooms for Peace, visit www .GlobalClassroomsforPeace.com.