GOI 2010.

Olivera Pepić, učenica osmog razreda OŠ „Jovan Popović“, osvojila je II mesto na međunarodnom takmičenju u pisanju eseja koji organizuju Fondacija za mir iz Japana „Goi“ i Unesko. Olivera je nagrađena za esej „Moja uloga u stvaranju mira u svetu“ pisan na engleskom jeziku. Oliverin mentor bila je Vesna Kovrlija, nastavnica engleskog jezika.

O značaju nagrade govori podatak da je na konkurs pristiglo čak 7216 radova iz 144 zemlje.

O samom takmičenju i propozicijama možete pročitati na stranici: http://www.goipeace.or.jp/english/activities/programs/2010/index.html.

My Role in Creating a Peaceful World

(Original)

Constantly I hear people claiming that "they have found themselves." However, I don't believe that you can magically and suddenly realize who you really are and what your purpose on this earth is. Nobody can be changed in a day and the world can't be changed in a day as well. We don't try hard enough to change ourselves and we don't try hard enough to save our beautiful planet and the people who inhabit it. It is hard to imagine, but every individual's attempt is very important. In order to make the world more peaceful, harmonious and better place, we have to start from ourselves and to change our behaviour. We have to learn how to become conscience-driven individuals, instead of being selfish self-promoters and social climbers.

It is my belief that one "finds himself" by living one's life. Through everyday experiences, whether it is the people I meet, or through the challenges I face on a day-to-day basis, I think that self is not something I will find, but something I will create. I have personal ethics and morals, and I try to live my life by these values. When I come across a decision I have to make, I contemplate my morals and ethics and make my decision based on what is deemed the right thing. In my opinion, we should all be kind, honest and caring individuals and that is the type of person I strive to be. In my mind, helping others and living our lives to the best of our ability is all we can do and then hope for the best. Becoming a better person is all I can ask for, and if I continue doing what I think is better not only for me, but for all the people around me, I will contribute to the creation of more peaceful world.

When I was in the first grade, I saw a tiny girl from my class who looked very frightened. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running towards her, and tripping her, so she fell in the dirt. Her glasses went flying and landed on the grass. She looked up and I noticed terrible sadness in her eyes. My heart went out to her. So I approached the little girl and as she crawled around looking for her glasses, I said, "Those kids are real cowards and losers." She looked at me. There was a big smile on her face. It was one of those smiles that showed genuine gratitude. Her name was Sophia. We talked all the way home, and I carried her bag. She turned out to be a really nice child. I asked her if she wanted to come to my house and meet my family. The more I got to know Sophia, the more I liked her, and we became best friends. We were in the fourth grade, and we had to write for homework an essay about kindness. When our teacher asked who wanted to read the essay, Sophia raised her arm, stood up and read her essay. She was reading about our friendship and how I had helped her when those children attacked her. She wrote that she would perhaps have become rude and violent like those children if I hadn't showed my kindness. And she also said that my compassion and generosity changed her life. When she finished reading, she looked at me and gave me a grateful smile. Not until this moment did I realize its depth. And I also understood something crucial: "Never underestimate the power of kindness." Your actions can make a lot of positive changes. With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse. The universe puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way.

Whenever I think about Sophia, I remember my favourite poem written by Emily Dickinson. And I repeat these words, which I know by heart almost every day:

If I can stop one heart from breaking

I shall not live in vain

If I can ease one life from aching

Or cool one pain

Or help one fainting robin

Into his nest again

I shall not live in vain

This beautiful poem is about gentleness, compassion and caring. And therein lies the instinct for our survival. Everyone can make this world more peaceful place if he/she loves and supports others in a positive, healthy way. It takes effort, but the reward is enormous. Kindness is the energy that sustains who and what we are and the very essence and core of our being. Without it there is no peace and no light.