Peace Puppets to get puppets in the hands of children in Southern Israel and Gaza

Mar Vista and Napa, CA. Peace Puppets is an initiative to get 1,000 hand and finger puppets to kids aged 2 through 10 who live in Southern Israel and Gaza. The first shipment of puppets will be in mid-September 2014. Upon arrival, the puppets will be distributed to six schools in both regions, along with guidance to teachers on how to help children to use the puppets to tell their stories and provide companionship.

The forming of this project began just two weeks ago when a couple of friends, Irit Weir and Robin Fletcher, in sharing their sadness about the impact the violence would have for the children in South Israel and Gaza, resolved to do something to make a positive difference. With Irit’s experience growing up in Israel and having facilitated dialog groups between Israelis and Palestinians for over 20 years she knows how sharing stories with a receptive listener can be transformative.

Since that day, individuals have come forth contributing their expertise, time, and most of all, heart, to make an idea a reality. Puppeteers, Ilene and Mike Kennedy gave 180 handmade puppets. Sunrise Montessori of Napa Valley asked its students’ families to bring puppets for donation to start their school year. On the Move, a nonprofit dedicated to Community Initiatives for Youth has generously provided fiscal sponsorship. Web Designer, Barbara Schwartz contributed hours of time to build a website in light speed. And these are just a few examples of the outpouring of support for Peace Puppets. If you would like to support this project, there are many ways to do this – by donating puppets, by creating a collection site for puppets at your school or organization, through donation of funds and/or of your volunteer labor. Currently there are drop off sites for puppets in Mar Vista, Napa and Oakland, California.  To learn more, please visit the group’s website at www.peacepuppets.org or contact Robin and Irit at info@peacepuppets.org.