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‘Toys for Children in ‘Madrid’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The collaboration of two associations Women for the Dialogue and Cooperation, chaired by Giovanna Calderon and the local chapter of Women's Federation for World Peace.

“It was the sense of serving the community, and one of the most exciting moments of the year brought us great joy”.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling of sharing with underprivileged children of inner city schools and immigrant and local associations in Madrid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons of toys, donated by well -to -do schools and good hearted people, were collected during December”.

 

 

 

 

The preparations began at the beginning of December. Both organizations contacted different schools and associations and placed ads in the newspapers and radio to announce the collection of toys in good condition.  Volunteers helped to classify the toys according to age, and to wrap them nicely.  “It was beautiful, just like being at a branch warehouse of Santa Claus factory. It was a great opportunity for our neighbours and different guests to witness such a generous campaign taking place. Different organizations became our sponsors, providing the event with food, drinks and a minimum staff to take care of the guests”.

 

Parallel to the work of getting the toys; schools, associations, and churches were invited to participate by informing parents about the celebration so that they could bring their children to enjoy the party and receive toys.

 

A professional radio and TV journalist was the MC. We counted on the help of a couple of firemen and policemen to distribute the toys. (Children love uniforms). The wife of the Ambassador to Turkey, the chairpersons of a Russian and a Bulgarian association, and representatives of different NGO’s helped distributing the toys too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This happy and great celebration had a demonstration of Break Dance by a CARP member and a show by two professional clowns. The clowns played a major role in controlling the situation once the real giving away of the toys started. Children were called by age and stood on lines going through the stage.

Definitely a day of great joy and a sense of serving our world family living in the city!

 

Submitted by Marcia de Abreu, WFWP-Spain, Pres.                   Photolink

 

BRIDGE OF PEACE May 2008                                                  Photolink 

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Building Peace: Dialogue and Friendship between Women of the Three Cultures’.

 

Sisterhood event,  21st November 2004, in Madrid, Spain, the fourth with the Arab world.

                           

Planning began at a  round table : ‘What women can and should do to contribute to peace in the world.’ With  Arab and Spanish worlds :: the Spanish one, a Physicist and director of a Foundation for Peace and the Arab lady , Professor at  Madrid University, Arab Department .

Mr. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former director of UNESCO; now president of the Foundation Culture of Peace.

The wife of the Ambassador of Jordan; social and humanitarian issues in Jordan , spoke at the opening ceremony  and a  Jewish lady spoke on ‘peace’.

 

The MCs, a Jewish lady and an old friend, a Spanish lady ,a Mormon ,married to a Moroccon Muslim 

Music came from Morocco, a Jewish choir and the choir of a Catholic church.

 

Approxomately 350 persons participated.

Many couples crossed the bridge of peace.  Jewish women lined up to cross with the Arab women.

 The Ambassador of Costa Rica, Mrs. Mar�a Elena Pozuelo, told me that this ceremony was guided by God, and Mr. Mayor Zaragoza mentioned in his closing speech the ‘bridge of peace’ ceremony, which he had not just witnessed but also experienced.

wfwpspain@womenaspeacemakers.org

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