Students in Dr. Barry Rodrigue's Western Civilization
course at USM's L-A College are pictured here with their "Pennies
for Peace" donation jars. Dr. Rodrigue is in the front
row, fourth from right.
February 2004
Students from Barry Rodrigue's Western Civilization I class
at USM's Lewiston-Auburn campus are working on a class project
called "Pennies for Peace" to raise awareness for
an organization that brings war torn teens together at a camp
in Otisfield, Maine. Their goal is to create awareness and
raise $2,500, enough money to send one adolescent to the camp
for three weeks next summer.
The Seeds of Peace, a locally represented organization, was
started in 1993 by John Wallach to teach adolescents how to
coexist with one another. Student Celia Whitten of Lewiston
said "a lot of people don't know this camp exists in
Maine, and with the current global conditions we felt this
was an appropriate project." The camp's funding comes
from corporate and private donations, as well as grants from
USAID. The teens are selected by their governments to attend
the camp.
A day at camp might consist of conflict resolution activities,
cooperative teamwork, and many other enrichment activities
including sports, hiking, and socializing. A second focus
of Seeds of Peace is for the campers to observe each other's
religious practices, in hopes of relieving fear and creating
a shared understanding. At the end of each session all of
the campers take a trip to Washington D.C. to visit the nation's
capital and meet with government officials.
The class is accepting donations in "Pennies for Peace"
jars located in local businesses around the area and by mail
until May. Anyone wishing to donate is asked to make checks
payable to "Pennies for Peace" and mail to: Pennies
for Peace, USM LAC, Attn. Celia Whitten / Barry Rodrigue,
51 Westminster St., Lewiston, ME 04240.
