I've seen them grow together as a group, cooperatively helping one another. They have learned how to empathize with others and interact with peers from other grades.

The group has a dual purpose to be supportive of those who are far away from home and in a scary and dangerous place, and to pray and spread the message of peace in our community.

Since a lot of the children have relatives over there, we try not to dwell on the negative. It's a scary process, so instead we send letters and cards to loved ones.

We are trying to build peacemakers one child at a time.

His mother said it would be wonderful to know we were honoring Mike and thinking of him.

I was devastated. I had time to formulate a plan on how to make something positive out of this tragedy.