19 September 2018 | Salaam Foundation
The pen, learning, teaching and all things linked to the advancement of human beings through educational tools are superior to the weapons of the world like bombs, guns, and armies aimed at destruction and death.
With a string of negative news from almost every corner of the world, it becomes so important for the voice of positivity and hope to emerge. A voice and call for peace and justice. So often, the tools of destruction are glorified at the expense of the tools for growth and life.
It is within this context that we launch the #Pens4Peace campaign, drawing on the power of the pen, the piercing strength of the pencil, the clarity of art brushes and paint, the laughter of colour pencils and crayons and the soothing feel of paper on fingertips. This is about creativity taking the form of protest and activism for a better world.
The global call for peace focuses on places such as Somalia, Central African Republic, Palestine, Syria, Kashmir and the Rohingya of Myanmar.
This campaign will draw on three aspects.
- The Salaam Foundation team will be embarking on a walk between Sharpeville in the Vaal and the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The team will be departing according to the following schedule and will be visiting schools and organisations enroute. More institutions will be added as per confirmations.
7 October – Sharpeville Mosque to Sharpeville Memorial Site
8 October – Lenasia South to the Trade route Mall
9 October – Lenasia Muslim School, Little Folks Nursery School, Masjid Ashraf (ext 11B)
10 October – Kliptown, Soweto, Ridgway Muslim School, Auckland Park
11 October – Houghton, Linbro Park, Kelvin, Marlboro
12 October – Atterigville, Pretoria, Union Buildings
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#Pens4Peace
Actual #Pens4Peace will be on sale for a price of R30. These pens will be delivered to individuals, schools and institutions that wish to contribute to the campaign that will ultimately assist the victims of war in these areas. The pens can also be re-donated and we will deliver them to children in South Africa struggling with educational resources.
- Young people and adults alike can visit the Trade Route Mall in Lenasia and either drop off a drawing, painting or poem linked to a call for peace related to one of the target zones above, or come in and use the paper, paint and colours to do a work of art at the mall. The art works will be displayed in the #Pens4Peace Art Gallery situated in the Trade Route Mall close to the cinema and opposite the mall musallah . This will run from 28 September 2018 to 19 October 2018. A minimum participation fee of R20 per artwork will be appreciated.
We hope to present a memorandum to the Department of International Relations calling on South Africa to continue to be the historical voice of conscience for the world.
This is a great opportunity to get involved and shape the minds of young people towards peace, justice and equality while at the same time exposing them to the culture of assisting others in difficult circumstances.
We urge one and all to participate.
Salaam Foundation
FNB
62669147665
REF: Pen zakat/lillah
