Children from Pilgrims Way primary school in London, where gun crime is a pressing issue, took part in the workshop. The children made a 1.5 metre (five feet) dove sculpture out of toy guns, toy soldiers, war planes and coins after watching a video about a weapons amnesty project in Mozambique.
The children’s peace dove followed the inspiration of the British Museum’s Throne of Weapons on display at the Livesey. The Throne is made of decommissioned guns from a Christian Aid-supported project in Mozambique that encourages ex-soldiers to hand in their weapons in exchange for ploughs and bicycles. The weapons get dismantled and turned into sculptures – symbols of peace.
Theresa Dhaliwal, director of the Livesey Museum, said: “The throne has provoked a very powerful reaction in lots of our local children and they've been keen to get involved in making their own sculpture. The throne dispels the myth of guns being ‘cool’. It helps them to look differently at war toys and the impact of real guns on society. Children receive bulbs and flower seeds in return for their toy guns, which they can plant and make the borough pretty.”The dove sculpture will be delivered to 10 Downing Street in the run up to the UN Summit on Small Arms in June 06, to draw attention to Global Gang’s peace petition.
After the workshop Esther Shobande, 10, said: “I’m really proud to have been involved in making the dove, especially since it will appear in the Livesey Museum and Tony Blair will see it. Hopefully he will think it is extra special because it has been made by children.”
Almost 4,000 children from around the world have sent a peace message to Tony Blair and George Bush urging them ‘to do everything they can to make the world a peaceful place to live in’ at www.globalgang.org.uk/hotnews/actnow.
Sophie Shirt, editor of Global Gang said: “Many children play war games and see weapons as exciting and fun. Giving away their toys can be difficult! But through this workshop they can exchange these symbols of war for symbols of peace and understand the dangers of real guns. We want to give them the opportunity to both share their feelings and take action to influence decision-makers.”
