Deep into the wilderness of Maine, about an hour away from the city of Portland, kids from all over the world are gathered for a 3 1/2 week adventure through the wild terrain of human awareness. They strive for world peace, freedom, and the security to walk through streets freely. These are the goals of the kids and faculty at Seeds of Peace.

They began by meeting the people they have learned to hate: their “enemies,” from the opposing side. Whether from Pakistan and India, the two sides of Cyprus, Israel and Palestine, or any of the other countries involved with Seeds of Peace, kids from opposite sides of political and religious issues are brought together to learn to understand and trust one another. They learn that that even though they may disagree on the issues, they all strive for the common goal of peace in their lives.

On Monday, May the 24th, three participants of this camp and two adult organizers spoke with Day middle school, the only school in all of Massachusetts to have this presentation, about the purpose and the life-long impact Seeds of Peace has among its members. Dick Simon, a Day parent and one of the driving forces in Seeds of Peace, opened the presentation, followed by Floridian Dindy Weinstein, another substantial mover in this camp, who works on strategies to raise funds and sustain associations around the world. The camp itself was founded by journalist John Wallick. “He had a journalist’s skepticism, but a visionary’s optimism,” joked Weinstein.

After viewing a video clip of the camp experience and the effect it had on the former campers, Janeen Madan addressed the audience. Living in Bombay, India she started going to the camp in 2002. She spoke of the friction between her country and Pakistan and how Seeds of Peace helped her come to the realization that her “enemies” were probably more like her than any other group of people.

Mor Goshen, hailing from Israel, also a 2002 alumna, discussed the dangers in her country. Finally, Kheirallah Bazbaz, from Palestine, spoke of his journey through the camp as a camper and later a helper. His experience dates from 1997.

Madan became involved with Seeds of Peace through her school, which participates in the program. After writing an essay and being interviewed she became really involved in the program. All of these were eligibility trials to sift out the kids with real potential. Dashen thought this camp would be a way of, “... representing my opinion and my country.”

The kids at her school, however, didn’t care nor understand why she would devote most of her summer to this camp. Madan recalled knowing a friend who lived in Pakistan. After attending Seeds of Peace, her friend went back to school to be greeted by teasing and taunts from her peers. She would begin crying and no one would speak to her because of her association with the “...other side.” In regards to the experience of Seeds of Peace, Madan said that it is “...important to help and support each other.”

At first, Goshen wanted to go to Seeds of Peace to show the Palestinians that she was right, but, later, she found that her feelings changed and she actually made true friends.

Bazbaz was also involved with Seeds of Peace through school with the intent of showing the suffering of his people. But he also believed it is, “...worth it to know your enemy.”

Campers come from all over the world, but many are from the Middle East. There will be a new program called Bridging Borders this year at Seeds of Peace, where 40 American kids and 40 Arab kids, some from Iraq, will come together in an effort to create understanding between the two sides in a post-9/11 world. Weinstein believes the 2500-3000 kids that have attended Seeds of Peace come because they are “...free of intimidation.” Activities at this camp include forming dialogues, co-existing courses, and sports.

Much of the funding for Seeds of Peace comes from various organizations, and a big percentage is received from the State Department. Goshen wants kids to “...spread the message” and “...show that in times like these, there are people out there willing to help.” Bazbaz feels that it is crucial to get people concerned and to be involved. Even though opposing governments fight fiercely, leaders do support kids in their attendance at Seeds of Peace. Weinstein says, “Ultimately, everybody wants peace,” and that adult delegations help tremendously.

As for their perceptions of America, Goshen opened up by saying people can, “...think for [them]selves.” Madan agreed and spoke of America as a “...new environment.” She says that that the conflicting countries of India and Pakistan do not feel they need an outside force to solve their problems. “Now the governments want to do things by themselves,” Madan stated. Bazbaz, explained the sometimes disruptive effect America has on others. He said lately people are unsure of the way the U. S. is dealing with conflicts. The peace process America is pushing for is not moving, and there appears to be no will to establish it. As for Weinstein’s input, she feels that a Seeds of Peace program in which the campers meet the “...highest levels of our government” is an important factor in the decisions with which the government will be faced in the coming years.

In their homelands, Goshen explained that kids cannot do what regular kids in America do. They can’t walk down the street alone, go to clubs, ride the bus, nor communicate with people outside of their country. “We are not able to be the teens we are supposed to be,” Goshen said, “We’re not asking for much, we’re not asking for something that’s not normal...just a normal life.” Bazbaz says that daily life is tough every day. Madan vividly remembers a bombing in her town when she was attending school. Although it occurred outside of Bombay, Madan still felt the real danger and felt the impact.

Simon recalls visiting and the time-consuming check points. Taking about 2-3 hours at each point, Simon says security is tight due to frequent killings and tense times.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SEEDS OF PEACE, PLEASE VISIT THEIR WEBSITE www.seedsofpeace.org [Assisting in preparation for this article was Eve Asher].