A global village of peace

It has become laughable for everyone from the kid running for student senate to the beauty pageant entrant to want to "bring about world peace."
But if you COULD bring peace to the world, if you could bring even a chance of peace to the world, wouldn't you try?
Brenda Miele, Tracie Nicolaou and Lorraine DeChellis think they have found a way -- just one person at a time. As volunteers with the local chapter of Children's International Summer Villages, they help children (including their own) from countries all over the world get acquainted.
The idea for CISV was born in 1946, when child psychologist Dr. Doris Allen read about a proposal to unite politicians and philosophers to promote a peaceful world. But waiting until adulthood is too late, she thought. "I knew," she is quoted as saying, "that the ultimate source for peace, long range, lay with the children."
Allen created a program that Miele, DeChellis and Nicolaou's children have all benefited from, as well as Nicolaou herself. "I was an 11-year-old delegate in 1976, and now I'm a parent whose two boys are participating in CISV," said the Tod Children's Hospital nurse.
The original program was the "Village," a four-week international, multilingual camp, first held in 1951. Allen's concept was to get children young, before they developed prejudices and fears, so participants are just 11 years old. Twelve countries send delegations of two girls, two boys and an adult leader, who participate in educational, cultural and sporting activities.
Interchanges canchange a life
There are also two to four-week Interchanges during which children get to go to another country to live as a family member. The same year or the next, the host becomes the visitor. The Interchange pupils are 12 to 15 years old.
Three other camps build on the Village concept but vary in length and welcome older children.
In the past 53 years, CISV has held 4,676 international activities for almost 177,000 participants from 66 countries.
"It's difficult to get parents in this day and age to let their children go," DeChellis said. "And I was hesitant. But when my daughter came back from a Village in Biloxi, Mississippi, I said, 'Who is this person?' After living with people for 28 days, it does change you. Then the Interchange came. I never regretted it."
Adult delegates, volunteers like Miele, Nicolaou and DeChellis, take leadership training. (In fact, Miele is a sixth-grade teacher at Mineral Ridge Middle School and DeChellis teaches Special Education at Girard High School.) Host families and participants also receive training.
Building tolerance,adaptability in kids
"Our mission is peace through understanding," Miele said. But the benefit seems to extend beyond that, according to the three women. "It helps children to adjust to change. My daughter had an easy transition to college," Miele said.
"My daughter has always been tolerant," DeChellis added, "but now more so. It made her a better person."
With the world at war, you might think peace an overwhelming order. But the women see promise in conquering the world one person at a time, one day at a time. "The Village breaks down stereotypes," Nicolaou said. "Not only are our children there to learn, but to teach as well. Others get a realistic portrayal of [Americans]. We're not all overweight, with AK-47's strapped to our belts."
"If I go to Europe, I can just make a phone call and find a place to stay. I just have to say I'm with CISV," Miele said.
"Every board meeting, someone has a story. If someone says, 'I have a friend coming in from overseas,' it's open your home and open your heart," Nicolaou said.
Added Miele, "I think all the politicians should have to go to a village."
The majority of the necessary funds for the nonprofit are also raised by volunteers, which has given the women much to do right now. A $100 a couple gala fund-raiser will be Sept. 18 at the McDonough Museum, which will include a $2,500 reverse raffle, silent auction, open bar and hors d'oeuvres. For more information about the gala or participating in CISV, call (330) 544-6591.
murphy@vindy.com