Painting Peace in Erbil: Children Created a “Tree of Life”

Written by: Linda Rashid, Peacebuilding and Inclusion Technical Manager

In two primary schools in Erbil, Arbailo Primary School and Yazandokht Primary School, children came together to create a vibrant “Tree of Life,” filling a shared canvas with colorful handprints and heartfelt messages of peace. Each word they chose, kindness, fairness, respect, belonging, reflected their own understanding of what peace means in their daily lives, transforming the artwork into a living symbol of unity and hope.

This collective activity was more than a creative moment. It embodied World Vision Iraq’s Empowering Children as Peacebuilders (ECaP) approach, which places children at the center of social cohesion efforts within their schools and communities. By offering a safe, inclusive, and participatory space, the initiative allowed children to explore the values that make peace both relational and actionable.

Their expressions reached far beyond artistic symbolism. The handprints and messages offered meaningful insight into children’s lived experiences and their readiness to engage in peacebuilding when they are given the opportunity. As a small but powerful example of inclusive peacebuilding, the activity reaffirmed an essential truth: social cohesion begins early, nurtured through emotional safety, meaningful participation, and the recognition of every child’s voice.

This small-scale initiative also highlighted the potential of school-based entry points for fostering inclusion and encouraging early engagement within area-based peacebuilding strategies. When children are invited to express themselves freely, they naturally become catalysts for peace, starting in their classrooms, then extending into their homes and communities.

Through the “Tree of Life” activity, the children shared messages that encouraged reflection on kindness, fairness, respect, and belonging. Their contributions clearly demonstrated their willingness, and readiness, to engage in peacebuilding when trusted and supported. Inclusive social cohesion grows strongest when children are empowered early, fostering trust, participation, and resilient communities grounded in mutual understanding.