Participants Speak Out
“ARK helped me understand why I am here on this earth.”
- Favour Mlowoka, Malawi, Africa
“I am thankful that out of all the countries in Africa, my small, poor country was chosen to be part of ARK. It is my responsibility to go home and share what I have become - a peacemaker.”
- Caroline Magombo, Malawi
“In a world full of violence, plagued by AIDS, we cherish the opportunity to work for peace. ARK gave us the opportunity to talk and listen to each other about peace across borders, languages, cultures and religions. We began to hope for peace in our time. The investment made in ARK has made a difference in our lives and we know we can make a difference in the world.”
- Dr. Rueben Chirambo
“ARK is my seocnd family. How beautiful it is when people from seven different countries feel that we are all members of one family. It gives me hope even for my walled-in city.”
- Lina Abughazaleh, Bethlehem, Palestine
“ARK is amazing. I go home as a peace maker and leader. In my community there is no peace. But in ARK I learned peace can start one by one. I am that one.”
- Lucy Al Qassmany, Bethlehem, Palestine
“ARK has grown peace in my heart. I need this in my community. ARK gave me new hope that peace is possible.”
- Lara Muallem, Bethlehem, Palestine
“ARK not only changed my life. ARK has become my lifestyle.”
- Walid Issa, Bethlehem, Palestine
“In ARK I learned about the culture of other countries. Their stories, their music, their problems. We became a close family. ARK is our guiding star, which shows us the way towards truth and peace. I go home to pay more attention to the environment and the problems of my country and other countries.”
- Inga Kurtkute, Lithuania
“All different, yet all equal. It is because of ARK that I truly got an understanding of what this means.”
- Adomas Seputis
Previous Years of ARK
“I saw miracles happen in the lives of young people. I saw miracles happen in my own life. I saw peaceful ways practiced. I heard peaceful language emerge. When I traveled to Guatemala, I witnessed young people returning home with a new energy, a new vision, a new passion to build a better world starting with their own lives, families, school and community.”
- Steve Chinavasso, California/Guatemala
“I have learned a lot of things during the ARK project, like cooperating with people and doing things their way. It is really hard to walk in other people’s shoes, and also discrimination is really hard on people. Without ARK, I would not have been able to remove these things from my heart.”
- Issa Sacann, Bethlehem
“There’s going to be peace in the world. We don’t realize it yet, but everyone has a heart, and they will eventually care, respect and hold hands. They’ll look into each others’ eyes and open up to the world. This happened to me because of my ARK family.”
- Carli Jo Warren, Native American
“In ARK, I learned to look at myself and how I treated others. I learned to listen and to work with others to solve problems. I let a seed of peace be planted in my heart, and to help it grow by my attitude and actions.”
- Walid Adel Mohamed Issa, Bethlehem
“I am happy to have been included in this project where we hold the idea that all the world might have peace and love for one another, and to be happy and walk with love. If there was no ARK, I would no doubt be alone.”
- Douglas Dayani Rocche Coz, Guatemala
“There is so much greed, violence and hatred in the world, and everyone at ARK has
experienced the effects of these forces. Yet we come togeher to stand against these
forces and break down cultural barriers. We realize peace is not merely the absence
of violence, but actions of respect and love. Everyperson at ARK takes home these
positive messages and transcends them into their daily life.”
- Kate Wolff, Minneapolis
