PTPI Blog


Archive for June, 2010

PTPI’s 2010 EHI to Turkey – A Note from Tracy Justinak

Friday, June 18th, 2010
Bookmark and Share

This was my second PTPI Educational & Humanitarian Initiative, and not my last.  Anyone can take a tour, but meeting the locals, sharing a meal in their home, bringing much needed school supplies to a three room rural school, interacting and playing with students, sharing English skills and so much more – it is life changing and the reason why this PTPI EHI to Turkey was so special to me.

Touring Istanbul, Izir, Cappadocia, Konya and Antalya, I came away with an appreciation for a country with a rich culture and friendly people as happy to learn about me as I was to learn about them.

photo by Tracy Justinak

photo by Tracy Justinak

While I will treasure the memories of sailing on the blue Bosporus, hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, touring Topkapi Palace, the Hagia Sophia and more, most of all I will treasure the friendships made, the smiles shared, the lives touched and the opportunity to give and participate in a humanitarian way.  That’s a PTPI gift that keeps on giving.

Tracy Justinak
President
PTPI’s Scottsdale, Arizona USA Chapter

View delegate Dr. Kenneth Nakano’s photos from the trip on the PTPI Facebook page!

5 Minutes with Temwanani Abgirl Jason

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
Bookmark and Share

Our very first chapter in Malawi was chartered in December 2009 – the Lilongwe, Malawi Student Chapter.  PTPI Intern Zach Abramovitz caught up with Abgirl, the Chapter President, to find out what life has been like since.

Abgirl Temwanani Jason

Temwanani Abgirl Jason

1. What’s it like being President of a PTPI Student Chapter?

It is a challenge, especially with beginners like myself. You need to dedicate yourself to learning one or two things daily.

2. What’s the most amusing thing that’s ever happened in a Student Chapter meeting?

Students came up with questions asking if PTPI will be paying them for their services.

3. What’s the most challenging part of your job as President?

Advocacy.  You know Malawi never had such student groupings joining global youth initiatives, and to make them understand and join is a challenge.

4. Do you have a favorite PTPI memory or inspiring story that you’ve experienced since becoming President?

I represented my Student Chapter and my country at the last PTPI Peace Camp in Jordan.

Abgirl volunteering with a fellow delegate in Jordan during Peace Camp 2009

Abgirl volunteering with a fellow delegate in Jordan during Peace Camp 2009

5. How does your chapter promote Peace through Understanding?

By participating in service activities.

6. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom to share with other PTPI Student Chapter members?

Leadership demands humbleness.

PTPI Student Chapter Initiatives: Recruitment Efforts Spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S

Thursday, June 10th, 2010
Bookmark and Share

“After a month of recruiting, we became one big and united family.”
-Yavor Ivanov, Chapter Vice President

Sofia, Bulgaria (The Doves) Student Chapter

In only a few months, PTPI’s Sofia, Bulgaria (The Doves) Student Chapter have recruited an astounding 42 new members.  Now nearly 100 students are actively participating in the chapter.

This accomplishment was the result of hard work, dedication and LOTS of planning.  Beginning in September 2009, chapter members planed a series of activities designed to spread the word about PTPI and explain how they actively promote Peace through Understanding in their community.

Their “Multilingual Peace Project” consisted of writing the word “peace” in multiple languages on small pieces of paper.  Chapter members put the paper inside balloons, to symbolize the need for peace among all nations.

Many other creative activities followed, including team-building with classmates, educational games competitions, and a discussion between new and old members about the meaning of Peace through Understanding.