"By providing the means by which people of all ages, interests, nationalities, and circumstances may avail themselves of recorded wisdom, experience and ideas of others, the City of Hialeah Library Division promotes the education, recreation and information needs of its community, and contributes to its culture." JFK Library’s Mission Statement, to which they are true to form.

On August 6th, The Hialeah contingency were invited to bring the Harmony run to the John F. Kennedy Library in Hialeah, where scores of children were ready to share their hopes and dreams for World Harmony. The children, ranging in age from 5 - 15, prepared and displayed a number of amazing Harmony drawings, which filled the room with inspiration and color, some spanning several feet of wall. Other children wrote and displayed poetry either collectively or individually to express their feelings for inner and outer harmony. To our delight, the children were eager to share the inspiration behind their drawings and each received a certificate of participation. (See attached samples of drawings and poetry).

Then all of us went on a trek across seven continents to get first hand experience of the harmony run. This entailed running around the library 7 times, torch alighted, dedicating each turn to a continent. Amongst the giggles of joy and enthusiasm, the children were asked to recite the name of each continent at the start of each circumambulation and to concentrate on harmonious and friendly thoughts towards people around the world as we ran. It was an inspiring and educational day for all.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the staff and children at the John F. Kennedy library for their participation and hard work. Special thanks go to Chima Gomez, who runs the Library Literacy Summer program, who worked with the children weeks in advance to prepare their high quality art work and poetry and to Maria Gomez, the Library’s Literacy Director, who enthusiastically invited the Harmony run and shared her inspiration with her staff.

Poems written by children who participated in the JFK Library Literacy Department's summer program:

Harmony in the World

by Cesia Alvarado, Zared Chavez, Gerardo Hurtado, Jose Lima, Carlos Lopez and Emanuel Tellez

Helping other people

No matter who they are,

Together we build a steeple

To hold peace near and far.

Friendship holds us together

So that no one can destroy it.

We can be friends forever

And all of us can enjoy it.

Accepting one another

Brings people hope,

Showing love to each other

Lets people cope.

Harmony is love for everyone

So that this world can be a better place.

Armonia

by Evelyn Hernandez Torres

Cuando muera nadaré en un mar sin agua,

Leere bajo la luz de la oscuridad,

Oire con mis oidos tapados,

Me movere estando inmovil,

Pero lo que si voy hacer en realidad es

extrañarte y quererte por toda la eternidad.

(translation: Harmony

When I die, I will swim in a sea without water,

I will read under the light of darkness,

I will hear with my ears closed,

I will move while being still.

But what I will really do is

Miss you and love you for all eternity.)

Kharasrota - Hialeah, Florida

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Miami, FL - Taking the Torch to the People