‘Kites for Peace’ to soar in ARMM
COTABATO CITY – Over 13,000 children across the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) will simultaneously fly their kites in assigned areas on Nov. 25 in a bid to beat a Guinness world record and amplify their stand against violence and armed conflict.
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman will lead the kite-flying at the ARMM compound here as a major event venue to kick- off also the Mindanao Week of Peace observance during the 25th regional anniversary, the region’s Bureau of Public Information (BPI) said.
Children outside the main venue will simultaneously fly their kites in open spaces along school premises, including the Mindanao State University oval in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur; DepED oval in Tawi-tawi; Capitol grounds in Sulu; Lamitan National High School ground in Basilan; and MSU-Dalican in Maguindanao.
ARMM’s Department of Education (DepED), in partnership with the Coordinating and Development Office of the Bangsamoro Youth Affairs (CDO-BYA), organized the event to help children rediscover the joys of kite-flying.
The event will also be held in conjunction with the 25th ARMM founding anniversary celebration.
The event is also supported by the Young Moro Professionals Network (YMPN), Anak Mindanao ( AMIN) Party-list, and the Coalition of Organization for Reform and Empowerment (CORE-ARMM), YMPN coordinator Leah Tarhata Mehila said.
Mehila said the “Kites for Peace” in the ARMM is a collaborative activity conceived to convey the message of peace, especially among the most vulnerable sector in conflict areas– children.
“We also wish to set up a new record on the most number of children who will fly kites simultaneously and surpass the Guinness world record that was established in Gaza, Palestine with 13,000 kids in 2011,” she said.
DepEd-ARMM has issued an order ensuring the participation in the activity of 2,000 public elementary schools within the region which is set to be abolished and replaced by a new geo-political entity once the Bangsamore Basic Law (BBL) is passed. (Ali G. Macabalang)