Peace Pals

HAPI is a presence for peace in the world, starting with their children. HAPI ‘Peace Pals’ are young people ages 5-15 who are learning to become peacemakers dedicated to living in the spirit of the words May Peace Prevail on Earth.

The Peace Pals Program fosters understanding and respect for the diversity and oneness of the human family and the natural world through the arts, education, communication and friendship, and to put those thoughts into action by doing simple and small acts of kindness. Providing a safe and healthy environment for the children to play and learn lessons that HAPI hopes will lead to generational changes in attitude towards self-worth, care for the environment, personal health & hygiene, healthier conflict resolution and respect for all persons.

Peace Pals started meeting once per month in August 2007 with 30 children and now has up to 250 children at their weekly Saturday meetings. They have simple lessons related to peace led by community volunteers, mostly young adults under the supervision of HAPI's Coordinator of Age-Level Ministries, Dominique Verenite. The Peace Pal kids also do special events at the new church congregation, such as a Mother’s Day program or performing songs at the Peace Pole dedication.

Originally, it was suggested the Peace Pals be split into two groups: 5 – 10 and 10 – 15 years, thinking that each group would require different levels of activity. The Haitians explained that they keep them in one group because it may be that the 15 year old never experienced a crayon before, or never heard a simple lesson on how to live peacefully with your neighbor. It's difficult to imagine that a child in kindergarten here may have experienced more than a 15 year old in Haiti!

Future goals:

• Hot lunch component
• Plant trees in the Peace Park
• Recognize each child’s birthday
• Have a larger Christmas celebration

Current funding is provided by individual donors. If you would like to help sponsor this program, you can donate here or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  DONATE BUTTON

In addition, there is a second community that is eager for a Peace Pals program.

Peace Pole

To show Mizak’s commitment to peace, a Peace Pole was erected on September 21, 2008 on donated land that will eventually become a park for children. The Peace Pole was a gift of the Grand Rapids District Peace with Justice Community to HAPI. To read about the peace pole dedication and day-long celebration, see our Newsletter, Issue 2. To learn more about the Peace Pole Project, including information on how to obtain your own Peace Pole, visit http://www.worldpeace.org/peacepoles.html .

Peace Park

There are kids everywhere in Mizak, but safe places to play are scarce. The vision of HAPI is to create an ambitious new Peace Park on the donated land. Construction has already begun, transforming an empty field into the beginnings of a community playground.

Phase 1: Clear the land and erect a fence and gate.
Mizak is a rural community and many people use a toxic plant as a barrier to keep animals from entering their property. The plant is highly acidic and the sap burns the skin and can cause blindness if it gets in the eyes. Some communities do not permit it because of the danger particularly to children. While the park does need some type of barrier to protect against the possibility of any stray animals entering the playground area, the traditional, high concrete wall doesn’t send the desired message of openness and invitation. It is also important to easily keep the children in view. It was decided to make an ambitious plan and design a fence with iron fence posts and a traditional gate.

Phase 2: Equipment
Plans have been drawn out that show some swings and playground equipment. Most importantly a community overhead shelter with tables and lighting where the youth can gather to study and be in community.

Phase 3: Latrine area
The final phase is to construct a latrine area and hopefully onsite water access. Peace Pals and community volunteers will do the landscaping.