PeaceJam brings spirit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate to East Aurora Dist. 131

East Aurora fourth-grade teacher Sue-Z Bruno found some unexpected inspiration the day her father invited her to an event at his local church.

When she arrived, she discovered the students in the youth group, which her father led, talking face-to-face with Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. The young people were learning life lessons from some of the most esteemed humanitarians in the world as part of a worldwide organization called the PeaceJam Foundation.

The foundation organizes several activities for chapters around the world, including events that can feature one or more of 13 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, service learning courses, and campaigns to spur acts of peace and global goodwill among youth.

"Hearing their stories and the stories of the youth at the events inspired me to be more active in my community as well," Bruno said.

So for nearly three years after that day, she lobbied to bring PeaceJam to East Aurora Unit District 131. Eventually, former board member Anita Lewis championed the idea and District 131 became part of the PeaceJam Great Lakes and Kalamazoo region, hosting activities for the past three years and creating PeaceJam clubs in many District 131 schools that range from five to 40 students per club.

Although the regional affiliate folded last year, Bruno and a core group of volunteers used local crowdsourcing to make sure PeaceJam activities continued in the district.

Thanks to their efforts, this weekend Naomi Tutu, daughter of South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, will speak during two PeaceJam events happening in the district.

On Friday, she will represent her father following a public screening of "Children of the Light" at Simmons Middle School in Aurora. Narrated by Tutu, "Children of the Light" follows the life story of her father, the South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide recognition during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid.

Then on Saturday, Tutu will be part of an Inclusivity and Cooperation Youth Leadership Conference just for students in second through 12th grade, as well as university students who will serve as mentors, at East Aurora High School.

Bruno says many students weren't alive during Archbishop Tutu's fight against apartheid and didn't know about the civil rights struggle in South Africa, so they are brushing up on history in advance of Naomi's visit.

"In studying his life and hearing Naomi's voice on the film clips as she narrates her father's story they became excited," Bruno said. "Others who have had some knowledge of history are thrilled and looking forward to the event."

Bruno says events like this are critical for students in her district, and that's why she and a team of dedicated community volunteers work hard to keep PeaceJam at their local schools.

In fact, their goal is to team up with an area university or college that would enhance their efforts and help expand PeaceJam activities and clubs for students from second grade through the college level in the Aurora area.

"Communities need to see that history is in the making. The Nobel Peace Prize Laureates supporting PeaceJam are alive and still active in the world," Bruno said. "While they are in history books, they are living, breathing people who chose to make a difference in the situation they were placed in.

"While Naomi Tutu is representing her father, she herself lived through these events and has chosen to continue to work, improve and be an active member of society," she said. "I want the youth to understand that they have power to impact themselves and their surroundings."

If you go

What: "Children of the Light" documentary screening

Who: Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, to speak afterward

When: 7 p.m. Friday, April 10

Where: Simmons Middle School, 1130 Scheffer Road, Aurora

Tickets: $5 suggested donation

Info: d131.org