Opinions on the project and impressions from “Perkoz”
Wojciech Eichelberger
Psychologist and psychotherapist,
Project Director,
Warsaw
Opinion on the Project...
The Rainbow Bridge Project is about identity and communication, unity in diversity and diversity in unity. It is about connecting and bridging over differences and conflicts. It is about tolerance. It is an open process that everyone can add to and benefit from. It is a creative idea that will change in time according to an accumulated experience of its participants. There are neither experts nor students within the subject of tolerance. We all have to learn. The Rainbow Bridge Project is a learning experience for all of us.
Impressions from the meeting in Perkoz...
That is what our meeting in Perkoz was about. We talked and listened, we came up with many creative ideas, we played and danced and sang together, we made friends. The 'Rainbow Bridge' came to life for the first time.
Aureliusz Leżeński
Trainer, Human Resources Manager,
Warsaw
Opinion on the Project...
The Rainbow Bridge Project is an unprecedented attempt at creating a model for meetings of young people from all over the world and inviting them to action on the basis of three ideas: the acceptance of diversity and distinctness, cooperation despite the fact of being different, and creativity thanks to distinctness. I hope that in this way we will create a model which can be duplicated in other parts of the world.
Impressions from the meeting in Perkoz...
That meeting proved how difficult a task it can be for people who know war only from media coverage to understand and respect the war experiences of those who have known it at first hand. Yet our meeting also showed that peoplewho work with young people, no matter where they come from, have a special energy in themselves, a particular gift of overcoming adversity and difficulties with enthusiasm, which will guarantee the success of this Project.
Marcin Zaleski
English Teacher, President of the International Debate
Education Association (IDEA),
Gdynia
Opinion on the Project...
I have always been fascinated by the phenomenon of diversity and complexity present in every aspect of our lives. We have different dreams and we choose different ways to achieve them, we live by different customs and traditions, we worship different gods, eat different foods and speak different languages, which ultimately reflects on the way we think and perceive the world around us. Yet, under this coat of differences there is something underlying, something that constitutes the essence of what we are - we fall in love, experience joy and sadness, fear death, and look for answers beyond the realm of our experience. I thus hope that the Rainbow Bridge Project will teach all its participants to notice, respect and appreciate the differences and, at the same time, will enable us to discover that we are all human.
Impressions from the meeting in Perkoz...
When I first came to Bosnia in 1998 I was struck by the immense beauty of the landscape and charmed by the warm heart of its people. Yet, there was another aspect which was soon revealed to me - the pain and bitter memories of the people who had been engaged in a civil war and who were desperately trying to overcome the traumas it had caused.
The meeting we had in the midst of Mazurian lakes allowed me to make new friends, to share many experiences and ultimately convinced me that in the context of the lesson of tolerance there are no teachers and students and that we all have to learn from each other. I feel truly privileged to be part of such a team!
Ewa Niwińska - Lipińska
The Teacher of Polish,
Gdansk
Opinion on the Project...
I think that the Rainbow Bridge Project is a very good project after the contributions we all made to it during our meeting in Perkoz. The future of our world, in every aspect, depends on young people. So, they have to know that life is not simple, that for someone a great problem can be to lose a bicycle or to have a quarrel with a friend while for someone else it can be to lose everything: family, home, safe place in life. So, young people should know how to talk to other young people not only about such things as discos and having fun. It is this serious aspect of communication between them that will be emphasized during the next year's Rainbow Bridge camp.
Impressions from the meeting in Perkoz...
The beginning was hard although everything seemed OK, without any problems. But it was quite a superficial impression. Here we all should be grateful to Wojtek as in a very short time he managed to turn it into a real meeting of people - with real problems, emotions and with great power, too. I was very impressed to see such different people to come closer to each other in a very short time. I learned a lot. I am very happy that I have the possibility to work for this Project because all the people involved in it want to do their best, and it is not such a simple work.
Adam Haller
Gestalt trainer, therapist and counsellor
Cracow
Opinion on the Project...
The first and the most important thing about the Rainbow Bridge Project is creating an opportunity to meet, to get to know each other, to get closer to somebody from a different country, culture. Knowing about all these fighting people all over the world, we have a really long, long journey to stop all that is wrong but, as wise people say, even the longest journeys have to begin with the first step. I think it is a very good first step.
Impressions from the meeting in Perkoz...
Meeting in Perkoz was a great idea to liven the Rainbow Bridge Project up. We came up with a lot of ideas about the Rainbow Bridge Project, but what is, in my opinion, the most important thing is that we all met - people from different countries, cultures, of different religions, experience, etc, and we made friends. There is no better first step while organizing such a meeting for young people.
Izabela Szalewska
Pedagogue and actress,
Cracow
Opinion on the Project...
The Rainbow Bridge Project has a chance to become a step in direction to get know and understand young people from different countries and experiences. As we know, a good intention is not always enough to reach good results. That's why, as for me, what is very important for us - the staff - it is to meet still several times to find out what our priorities are, to understand one another and to get to know each other better (including the staff from Sarajevo). Even the English language (foreign to all of us) does not make our conversations easier, nothing is better than "live" contact, so I'm waiting for our next meeting and I'm learning English.
Impressions from the meeting in Perkoz...
It was nice to meet new and interesting people, to see what they think and feel. Such a meeting is always an inspiration for me. I think we've just made "the first step in the clouds". What we have to do now is some more steps "on the ground", and then The Rainbow Project will come into being for good. Greetings for all of you, Iza.
Vesna Krstonia
Teacher, Poega,
Yugoslavia
Opinion on the Project...
Where are our children in this pandemonium which has reigned in the region of ex-Yugoslavia for almost ten years?
Where are we, grown-ups, in this chaotic world, with lost aspirations and hope for better tomorrow?
Where are we all together, blind, helpless and hurt by severe poison of despair, poverty and hatred?
Where is somebody to help to find the way out over the 'rainbow bridge', towards the sun, the light, the worlds and nations we have forgotten to exist?
How do the children live and cope with all these above-mentioned problems?
And how to, if not overcome, at least alleviate those over-crammed problems which are hardly to be cast away?
The Rainbow Bridge Project can be a solution to at least some problems concerning our children. Their actively being involved in this kind of project might help them to break their idea of being unloved, disrespected and marginalised. Besides, the idea to bring the children with all their diversities together can bring forth nothing but relief, tolerant and free-thinking attitude to their future.
Therefore, the main goal to be achieved as regards the Rainbow Bridge Project is improving both psychological and social empowering of each child-participant. Involving both children and teachers in the project will result in integrating both sides in the community they are going to build within ten days. The factor of re-socialisation of the children who come from entities of Bosnia and Serbia is one of the conspicuously prevailing factors within the process of the project realisation.
It is also worthwhile mentioning that the idea of making this project replicable in the future contributes to its importance and value. It empowers the sense of both children's and teachers' commitment and dedication to the activity for the simple reason of the participants' being aware of its recognition and continuation.
Enhancing their academic skills through game in the course of the project and applying them within the frames of the real life, children will learn one day how to responsibly participate in democratic process respecting civic values.
If freedom, respect for others and concern for equality and justice are not internalized they will never be a good foundation for civic life.
Hence the whole Rainbow Bridge Project has been designed as a long-term, sustainable activity with the result of gaining precious experience children will remember for the rest of their life.
"The Child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety."
William Wordsworth
Impressions from the meeting in Perkoz...
An unfathomable sense of being satisfied with gained experienced at the meeting in Poland is one of my standpoints I would gladly cling on in my future life and work. First of all, having been acquainted with Senad, Ruzica, Sanela, Vildana, Dejan and Mica from Sarajevo helped me to bring back my memories of Sarajevo I had not seen for almost 10 years. The sense of familiarity, sympathy and respect confirmed our common goals concerning the Rainbow Bridge Project in which we are all involved. This was a kind of a symbolic reunion we have all been striding for.
Prevailing sense of belonging to a community while participating in the meeting fostered my hopes for trust and security. While implementing our ideas in the course of held meetings I had the sense of being accepted and warmly welcomed. My suggestions as well as everybody else's were not rejected but tolerantly and patiently discussed what made the atmosphere relaxed and the work fruitful.
Our mutual contribution to the whole project is reflected by our commitment to it, what makes a solid foundation for our future co-operation. Care for children, their healthier life, their being educated to be responsible and tolerant citizens of the world without prejudices against other nations and their different backgrounds, gives us all enough strength to enhance the whole project.
My blue stone (the one each of us was given by Aureliusz) will be for sure brought for the next reunion meeting in Poland.
I am looking forward to meeting again Dejan, Sanela, Ruzica, Vildana, Wojciech, Ewa, Irena, Mica, Senad, Marcin, Izabela, Aureliusz and Adam, Vesna.
Senad Alic
Teacher, Druga Gimnazija,
Sarajevo
Opinion on the Project...
In today's history of human beings bridges are usually used and are necessary to link people, cultures, children, traditions. Unfortunately, it was very difficult to build those bridges a long time ago. I think that the Rainbow Bridge Project has its builders, and that this 'bridge' will cross to many people, and that many children and young people will be able to cross that bridge and make their life better.
To a big number of children in this world, it's necessary to return the smile back on their faces and to help them in any way possible. I think that the organisers of this project have a chance to show that now in Sarajevo people live united and also to show how to return the smile back on people's faces and how to achieve a better future. And we'll be able to achieve this if adults stop harassing children to make their goals come true.
I am pleased that Bosnia and Herzegovina participates in the Rainbow Bridge Project and that teachers from Sarajevo will have their own share in the creation of a better life for the children all over the world, helping towards the progress of children's life in Bosnia and Herzegovina, too.
Dejan Garić
History teacher, Katolieki Okolski Centar,
Sarajevo
Opinion on the Project...
I hope that the Rainbow Bridge Project will be a success thanks to the engagement of us all - teachers and our students to whom the 'human idea' of the Project is well-known. I also believe that the Project will be one of the steps towards the creation of a new, more tolerant world.
Ruzica Sutalo
Teacher, Katolieki Okolski Centar,
Sarajevo
Opinion on the Project ... and ...
Impressions from the meeting in Perkoz ...
Visiting Poland represented a great joy to me. We spent lots of great time in a scouts' camp making plans and new programme for the Rainbow Bridge Project. I believe that the next year's visit of the young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Poland will be successful for more than just one reason, but the major one is that all children will be able to exchange their ideas and experiences among each other. They will meet and get acquainted with cultures and traditions different from their own. This is what should mostly be emphasised as they need to learn how to enjoy and appreciate those differences and learn a great deal from each other. I believe that the Rainbow Bridge Project will be very successful and that children from Poland, Yugoslavia, Bosnia and many other countries will tremendously enjoy their time and the whole project.
