In the background of each murder, it is possible to discover the face of an innocent child running with a toy gun in the hand.

Either a toy gun or rifle; it is like an integral part of today’s children no matter where they live; in villages, cities or metropolises.

Poor children hew their toy guns out of wood. On the other hand, the rich receive such toys as gift in gelatin wrapped packets. Finally, both the poor and the rich level the barrel of toy gun at a person.  

Those toy guns change and transform in time just as the fat hand covering the grip and tiny fingers touching the trigger. And what is even worse, it still develops and improves.  Mica used in toy gun turns into steel, and becomes a killing machine. It becomes an industry, and a sector.

No matter how human life ends -either by murder or accident-, it is impossible to ignore the relationship among game-toy-death. The game that is called death starts with the cheerful laughter of the children worldwide who are given toy guns without their own will. 

Please keep in mind that those who run towards death like a game, and those who assume death as if it is a game, certainly played games with guns / rifles and barrels leveled at people in their childhood periods.

It is obvious that another study is required for searching the influences of toy guns on mental health of children. Nevertheless, it is not necessary to search whether "offenders" of each murders broadcasted in newspapers, radios and televisions were kids once upon a time, or not.  They absolutely were.

What about the kids fighting with wooden rifles in their hands and water pistols in their waistbands?

How can it be possible to tell them that, in all languages, there is not even a word which can console somebody who does not know why, how and where he/she died?

Is it possible to tell words of comfort to anyone who encounters the cold face of death, such as don't worry, never mind, such is life?

So, can’t we do anything in this respect? Sure we can… A word, which is one of the organizational purposes of Umut Foundation, simplifies the solution of the problem, though may not solve it alone. 

This word is peace.

Please do not forget that challenges suffered by our world and country can only be solved by means of “peaceful settlements”. 

Telling the virtue of peace to our children is as much important as avoiding buying toy guns for them.

New expectations in the new year; please let us provide an unarmed world for our children so as to build peace;  let us select their toys with great care. In the previous week, Diyarbakir Governorship and Provincial Directorate of Security forbade children to play war games in Internet cafes. We hope that this application sets a good example for all other provinces.  Let us give our children the opportunity to build peace in their games at first.

Have a good week.
Umut Foundation