Kids working for peace

The group hopes to raise money to send its members on trips in the future. But for now, they send Peace-Packs with adult friends who travel to other countries. In the past two years, those travelers have delivered Peace-Packs to children in Albania, Peru, Nicaragua, Kenya, and an Iraqi refugee camp in Jordan.

A few kids did get to share their Peace-Packs in person, though. "Children from the Kids for Peace groups in San Diego went on a car trip to nearby Mexico and hand-delivered their own Peace Packs to children in an orphanage," says Ms. McManigal.

"It's really fun to learn about other cultures and make friends with kids around the world," says Hana.

Speaking out for peace

Children from all the Kids for Peace chapters write and speak to elected officials to encourage them to work for peace. Last year, Hana attended the Peace Alliance Conference in Washington, D.C., as the representative of Kids for Peace. She and her mom also visited the offices of politicians from her area while they were there.

Kids for Peace is a nonpartisan organization, which means it does not endorse any one candidate during an election. Members are excited about whoever is elected so they can work with them for peace.

The kids haven't forgotten the men and women serving in the military, either. During the holidays, different Kids for Peace groups sent cards to US soldiers in Iraq. And every Veteran's Day, those in the San Diego area meet with local veterans for a day of fun activities.

Good and green

Being kind to the earth is also part of building peace, the kids decided. To celebrate Earth Day in April, all the Kids for Peace chapters performed some environmental activity in their own city and country.

One young Kids for Peace member in Solana Beach, Calif., started a "5-a-day" program, which encourages other kids to pick up at least five pieces of trash every day.

Artistic connections

The kids use their creativity to paint, write books, and sing songs as expressions of peace and fun, too.

Last year, groups from Kids for Peace in the San Diego area performed their peace pledge at LiveFeed. This "stop hunger" event was sponsored by a charter school in an impoverished neighborhood of south-central Los Angeles.

The children worked with more than 100 other volunteers to distribute bags of donated groceries to needy families. Afterward, they had the opportunity to hang out and talk with the students from the charter school, making new friends and spreading the idea of peace.

On May 17, Kids for Peace will host an art show called "Daydreams and Dandelions: Making a Wish for Our World." Kids from around the world will contribute art for sale. This is the group's big annual fundraiser.

"In 2008, we see more of our youth coming forward to spread peace, love, and optimism to more people in the world. We're right in alignment with that movement," says Ms. McManigal.

Hana adds, "To other kids I would say: It's lots of fun helping other kids around the world. One kid really can make a difference."

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