Youth Chose Peaceful Alternatives

A teacher at Michurino Middle School in the Urus Martan region in Chechnya who attended trainings with Little Star psychologist Aishat Zubairaeva, conducts a class on Power of Goodness.

Student drawings illustrate life scenarios and how certain choices can have negative or positive consequences.

“You know, what I really liked about the [Power of Goodness] book is that every story teaches us kindness, to act in accordance with conscience and justice, says Kheda, a 12-year-old Chechen student.  “Often I was able to find myself in the stories, when I was acting in a wrong way, unfortunately. After reading the book I had a tormenting feeling of guilt for my previous behavior. But I can proudly remember one moment from my life: one day our neighbor lost a large amount of money, 5000 roubles ($100 USD). When I found the money I gave it to her straight away. Due to the way the [Little Star] psychologist Aishat Zubairaeva runs the trainings, the way she presents the stories from the book, I find a constant desire to reread the book time and again. “

Despite the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Chechnya remains scarred from years of warfare and continues to endure regular outbreaks of violence. It is the poorest region in Russia, ranking very low in every human development indicator. The Power of Goodness Project, organized by Peacebuilding UK and run by a group of "Little Star" psychologists, engages educators and youth of Chechnya in tales of powerful and positive role models working for social justice. The youth are encouraged to craft their own stories of what it means to be a peace builder.

The Power of Goodness project is also sharing their Chechen experience with educators and youth in Ukraine to foster their own peacebuilding. Updates on its impact on Ukranian students coming soon!

---