Author Archives: Kim Colella

Day 1: Norse Federation




The Norse Federation are our hosts here in Oslo and they have been amazing. This afternoon we went to their office for lunch and a visit. They made sure that we had maps, books, information, everything we might need to navigate ourselves around the city. Over a lunch of fabulous open faced sandwiches, Lasse Espelig, the Secretary General of the Norse Federation and the Executive Director of the Norway America Association, our guide, Turid, and Anne Wangberg, the Editor of the Norseman shared with us the history of th organization. The Norse Federation was started in 1907 after ONE THIRD of Norway’s citizenry had migrated, largely because of poverty, to the United States.

The view from the Federation Office

Day 1: Nobel Institute


We woke up this morning at 5 am having slept for 7 hours and feeling rested and excited to begin our explorations. Promptly at 8am, Turid came to escort us to our days activities. Turid is a kind, gentle, generous soul who gave us her full attention and never showed signs of tiring of our many questions.


We walked the short distance to the subway called the T. We took the T into the center of the city and enjoyed a brisk walk to the Nobel Institute.


Anne Kjelling, the Head Librarian of the Nobel Institute was our guide. She has worked for the Nobel Institure for 40 years and is the keeper of all the stories, all the history of the institute. Her generosity in spending time with us during one of the busiest weeks of the year for the Nobel Institute was quite remarkable. To begin, Anne took us to a room that she explained most people do not get to see. It is the room where the Norwegian Nobel Committee makes its decisions. A beautiful table was surrounded by 6 chairs, one for each of the 5 committee members and 1 for the secretary. The walls of this room hold the secrets of the meetings as no minutes are taken except for the minutes of their final decisions. Two of the 4 walls of the room are covered with photographs of the Nobel Peace Prize winners. As we browsed the photos, she answered our questions about each of the 12 women who have received the award since it was first awarded in 1901. She explained that there are some years that more than 1 person actually share the award. She shared that in 1973 a Vietnamese man, named Le Duc Tho, who was to receive the award with Henry Kissenger for jointly negotiating the Vietnam cease fire actually refused the award because Peace had not been achieved. We learned that Henry Kissenger eventually tried to return the award, but that the award cannot be returned once it is awarded. And we discovered that the institute does not give the award to angels, but to human beings. Some of the winners were actually at one time Terrorists, who when given the opportunity, changed their lives to impact the world towards peace. Anne explained that the Nobel Committee gives the Peace award not only to those who have already accomplished significant stides towards peace but that it also gives encouragement awards towards those who are creating a new vision, or inspiring in others a movement towards peace.


Next we visited the hall where the Nobel Committee makes the announcement each November of who they have chosen for that year’s Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Niko practiced coming out of the famous doors into the hall while givng a dignified wave to the crowds while Sam stood at the podium to practice his acceptance speech.

We moved from the hall into the room where copies of the original artwork for each Laureate are displayed. A different artist is chosen each year to do a painting for that year’s laureate. They are not, however, told who the laureate will be.

It was an absolute honor to spend our morning at the Nobel Institute with Anne. Standing in the Nobel Committee’s meeting room surrounded by the photographs of these Great Peacemakers, I was humbled, inspired, moved and very grateful. I prayed that this history lesson would move deeply into our bones and that we would move into our world with increased courage and commitment towards living our piece for peace in the world.

Breakfast by Sam

Today at breakfast we had bread. We could put on our bread Norwegian Cheese, white cheese, jam, Chocolate, banana honey or butter. There was also a ginger snap cookie with chocolate on the bottom. There was milk, orange juice, coffee and tea. At breakfast we met a man from Italy. He is staying in the room next to ours. I can’t wit for breakfast tomorrow. The Italian man’s name is Paolo.

We’ve Arrived

We arrived safely in this winter wonderland. It is 17 degrees outside and snow covers everything. It is a crisp, dry cold and feels very much like my Minnesota homeland.

We arrived at Oslo Airpot and got bus 28 which took us to the bus stop near our bed and breafast. It was a 45 minute ride and for the last 15 minutes, I was so hot that I had to take off my coat, scarf and sweater and still sweat beaded my face. I felt as if I was going to be very, very sick. Upon our arrival at our bus stop, We then had to lug 2 backpacks, my oversized purse, 3 carry on suitcases and 2 large suitcases up a hill that went for 3 blocks, up,up,up. Did I mention the snow on the roads…lots and lots of snow? I was as white as a ghost, still feeling sick and weak in spite of the fresh air. Niko, in true hero style, carried 2 suitcases and his backpack up the hill about a hundred feet and then come back for my 2 suitcases. He repeated this process over and over until we arrived at the B&B. In spite of this, when I ask Niko if there he is anything he wants to say on the blog, he responds, tell them we all did really, really well travelling together. What a guy!!!

Our accomodations are simple and clean and consist of a double bed, a single bed, one small closet, a place to hang our coats, 1 bedside table, a small bookcase, and a small cupboard and 2 small chairs. Our beds are futons and very comfortable. We’ve managed to unpack and find nooks and craneys to store all our stuff.

Marta is the proprieter and she is full of helpful information and ready to help us with anything we need. Her most helpful bit of information so far is that we should not say hello as we pass people on the street. They will think we are crazy. Unfortuantely, we had already been sharing our greetings with people as we tried to lug ourselves and all of our stuff up the hill. As Niko said, they looked at us as if we had 3 eyes!

It is now 3am, Oslo time and we are cuddled in our very comfortable beds reading and writing, feeling very relaxed and rested and grateful for this journey we are on together.

Our Itinerary

Dear Friends and Family,
Happy Holidays to each of you.
In just a few days we leave for Norway. I cannot believe it is here. We have been preparing for this trip since we found out in April that I had been chosen as the Greater Tacoma Peace Laureate. Part of the award is that they send us to Norway to be in Oslo during the Nobel Peace Prize events. At this time, it is confirmed that we will be able to attend the CNN Press Conference and the Nobel Concert, with Denzel Washington as the host. We are still waiting to find out if we will be able to attend the actual ceremony.
So we are off to 9 amazing days in Oslo, Norway followed by a day and a half in Liverpool, England for the Beatles Tour for Sam’s Christmas gift and then on to Ireland to visit the land of my Maternal Grandmother’s ancestry.
If you would like to follow our adventures, we will be posting to this blog on a regular basis.
I pray that this season is full of gentle, joyful surprises for each of you.
Many Blessings,
Kim
Our Itinerary
December 5th – We arrive in Oslo .

December 6th – 9:00 a.m. – Turid Johannessen, our guide will pick us up at our B & B and take us to the
Nobel Institute, followed by a visit to
Nordmanns-Forbundet (Norse Federation) for lunch/coffee/cake,
www.norseman.no
And then a visit to the Nobel Peace Center
City Hall Plaza (Rådshusplass) www.nobelpeacecenter.org

December 7th – 11:00 a.m. – the Holocaust Museum (HL senteret) www.hlsenteret.no
lunch/meeting/tour with Georg Broch

December 8th – 11:00 a.m. – Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights
Gange Rolvsgate 5, Oslo www.oslocenter.no
Tynlee will escort the Eberts to their appointment with John Bjornebye, Senior Advisor / Ambassador

Dec. 9th – Train Trip to Lilllehammer to meet with Steinar Bryn, Senior Advisor, Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue
December 10th – 1:00 p.m. – Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony (tentative), followed by CNN Interview
Oslo City Hall

December 11th – 8:00 p.m. – Nobel Concert at Oslo Spekrum

December 12th – 12 noon – Brunch at the home of Kari Nøst-Bergem and family
7:30 p.m. – Christmas Concert – Oslo Domkirke

December 13th – Santa Lucia Day, On our own to explore.
10:00 p.m. – We depart from Oslo to Liverpool

Dec. 14th – Fab 4 Tour in Liverpool
Dec. 15 – Arrive in Ireland and begin to wander

2010 Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Laureate

Early last April, I received a call from a woman who introduced herself and said she was with the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize. She asked me if I knew that I had been nominated by a few of the teachers at my son’s school. I was surprised and touched by the generosity of these amazing woman. As I was taking it in, she informed me that in fact they had chosen me for their 2010 Laureate. I was so shocked and moved that much of the rest of our conversation was a bit of a blur. I did remember her asking me not to say anything until they made a public announcement on April 24th. I got off the phone and started to research The Greater Tacoma Peace Prize. From what I could gather, I would receive a beautiful hand blown glass bowl and be honored at a dinner in May. When April 24th arrived, my husband and I did some research and found out that the announcement would be made at the Norse festival at Pacific Lutheran University. By the time we found out, it had already been announced, but we decided to hop in the car and go to the Norse festival anyways. After introducing ourselves to a board member, he looked at me and said, “You must be so thrilled to be going to Norway.” I was totally confused and looked at him and said, “Excuse me?” He went on to tell me that the prize included a trip for 2 to Oslo, Norway to be present at the Nobel Peace Prize events this upcoming Dec. I replied, “Are you sure?” Now here I am days away from boarding the plane with Niko and Sam, still in awe of the wonder of it all.

A Boy’s Dream of a Disco Party for Peace

When Sam was only 8 years old, he had a Disco Party for Peace to help children affected by war and violence. Sam was inspired at Sunday School where he drew a picture. AS I admired his work, his teacher asked him to tell us about his picture. He looked at the 2 of us and exclaimed, “It’s a Disco Party for Peace!” I giggled. I told him I would go to a Disco Party for Peace and I would have fun! As we drove him, I probed Sam about his idea. ” What we do at a Disco Party for Peace, Sam?” “We would raise money to stop ALL war.” he replied. We discussed what a BIG goal this was and decided it may be too big a job for just us, but we could do our piece in creating a more peaceful world. Sam initially decided he wanted to raise $10,000.00 to help the children in Iraq and Sudan and to buy peace education materials for his HIlltop public school, Bryant Montessori. However, a month before the event, he watched a clip on Oprah about Liberian children orphaned by the Civil War. He turned to me and asked, “Can we raise our goal to $15,000.00 so that we can send money to those children, too?” I took a deep breath and said, “Sure, but we are going to need help.”

Sam’s friends helped him by making artwork that was sold at a Kids Helping Kids art sale at the Disco Part for Peace. The Sunday School classes created artwork for the event. 10 year old, Elise held a beading party. She and her friends made necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to do their part for Peace. Families made a Peace Gnome, peace necklaces, kids from Bryant Montessori made peace bowls, handmade cards, and a peace table and a neighboring school made a peace pole. Students from the local Universities offered their assistance in putting on the event.
Sam wrote letters inviting almost 40 politicians and celebrities to the event. His list included: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Al Gore, Governor Gregoire, Dennis Kucinich, Mayor Baarsma, Norm Dicks, Superintendent Milligan, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Senator Debbie Regala, the Prime Minister of Australia, Ty Pennington, Ellen, Rosie, Oprah, Kelly Rippa, Regis Philban, The KOMO 4 News Team, Northwest Afternoon, Diane Sawyer, Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Tima Allen, John Travolta, Jim Paige, Raffi, and the Wiggles. Senator Debbie Regala attended the event, Barack Obama had his staff call Sam and sent him a personal letter and Steve Martin sent Sam $100.00 towards his efforts.

As we prepared for the event, money started flowing in. When we sent our first check to JRS to help Sudanese Refugee children with school fees Sam was vibrating with excitement. “Those kids are going to be so excited, Mom. Let me show you how excited they will be…” He then drew a picture that had an outline of the United States and an outline of Africa. Up in the NW corner of the US was a stick figure of a boy holding his hand out giving the money. Then there was a picture of a plane flying from the US to Africa and then 3 stick children in Africa jumping up and down yelling “Yipee!!!”

Over 400 people attended the Disco Party for Peace on April 27, 2007. Over $15,300.00 was raised. This event was important because it educated others on the plight of children in our world, it brought families together to dance, create art and have fun together for a common purpose, and it allowed children to have an impact on their world. In his letter to politicians and celebrities Sam wrote, “I want to help these children because I think it is right. I want the children to know that I care about them.” Amen, Sam, Amen.

Bryant Peace Committee

Our Peace program was started as the result of a Disco Party for Peace that was the dream of 8 year old, Sam. In 2007, Sam had his Disco Party and raised over $15,000.00 for children affected by war in Iraq, Sudan and Liberia, and to provide peace education materials for his own school, Bryant Montessori. A Peace Committee was formed in 2008 and students, parents and staff worked together to create a peace program at Bryant.

We kick off each year by rededicating ourselves as an International Peace Site at an assembly the peace committee creates for the International Day of Peace on September 21st. As a Peace Site we commit to the following:

Protect the environment;
Promote intercultural understanding and
Celebrate diversity;
Seek peace within ourselves and others;
Reach out in service, and
Be responsible citizens of the world.

At the assembly, each child creates a written or drawn expression of their commitment to be a peaceful citizen, and each classroom creates a peace pledge, which every child in the classroom signs and then 1 or 2 students present their classrooms pledge to the school at the assembly. Afterwards, the pledge is installed in their classroom. This has been a great way to begin our year and to clearly set our intention and rededicate ourselves as an International Peace Site.

Each year our students choose a focus topic and a continent which we then introduce at the Peace Assembly. We create our program around that focus and implement the focus topic on a personal, school-wide, community and global level. One of our goals is to choose a topic that our students may take for granted, like education and then create the opportunities to learn about the privilege and gift it really is and how the topic relates to peace.

Bryant Peace Committee 2008-09 Education

During the 2008-09 school year as we began our program our focus was on Peace through Education. We accomplished the following:
• We landscaped the front of our school to create a peace garden,
• Peace Banners were created that hang from the ceiling and go down our main hallway by our pre-k and kindergarten children
• We dedicated ourselves as Tacoma’s first International Peace Site.
• We created a peace pole for our peace garden that stands over 6 feet tall and says, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in 12 languages. The languages represent the heritage of the children in our school and the children in our neighborhood,
• We created an assembly for World Peace Day that has become an annual ritual. It is held each year on or around Sept. 21st.
• Each house created a banner to represent one of our values as a peace site. The banners represent Love, To Protect the Environment, To Promote Cultural Understanding, and to Seek peace within ourselves and others, These banners lead the peace parade at our dedication and now hang in our peace garden.
• We started an after school peace committee program for students
• At the urging of 10 year old, Nurhan, we started a Pennies for Peace Campaign and raised $9,000.00 to build a school in Afghanistan by collecting pennies.

Bryant Peace Committee 2009-10 – Water

In 2009-10 the students chose water as our focus. Our goals were to rededicate our school as an International Peace Site, to create a culture of kindness in our school by implementing a kindness campaign, and to promote an environmental focus on “Clean Water for All”
We accomplished the following:
• We started a kindness campaign in our school. The students a kindness box that sits in the main office. Every classroom has forms available. When a student catches someone going out of their way to be kind, they report them by filling out a ‘You were caught being kind” form. Once it is filled out they put it in the Kindness Box in the main office. Each week the peace committee collects the forms and creates a card for the student thanking them for the specific act they did to promote kindness, and the principal acknowledges highlights a few of the actions and the students who made them, over the intercom.
• We created our own green cleaning supplies, an all purpose spray and a creamy soft scrub that we sell to support our program.
• We made a peace dove out of 6 twin sheets, that has a wing span of 21 feet. This peace dove led our Parade of the Species on Earth Day and is used as a focal point in our assemblies as well as at community events.
• We took twelve of our peace committee members to a gathering at UW Tacoma to meet and listen to a Delegation of Japanese survivors of the Atomic Bomb. Our students made peace doves that the presented the delegation. Afterwards, UW installed their Peace Pole and our students were part of the celebration with their giant peace dove.
• We raised over $6000.00 to provide clean water and a school vegetable garden to the children of Las Maratos, Bolivia with Etta Projects by selling our green cleaning supplies, garden bulbs and plant starts, by starting an after school store on the playground each Friday and selling bug necklaces and organic suckers and by having a school wide coin drive.
• We applied for and were awarded a $2500.00 splash grant by the City of Tacoma. We utilized these funds to accomplish the following:
Over 275 elementary age students visited Puget Creek watershed to deepen their understanding of the connection between what we put down our storm drains and watershed health. One of our 5th grade students asked his teacher, “Are we still in Tacoma?”
We purchased 4 rain barrels for our school gardens. Our children’s house, Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Middle School were each given a rain barrel to design and paint. These beautiful works of art were presented to the school on World Water Day and the afterwards installed on our school in time Approximately 450 children were involved in this project.
Envirochallenger presented Down the Storm Drain: Where does the flow go? to over 125 students.
The students and adults of the Bryant Peace Committee planned, organized and implemented a World Water Day Assembly for the 450 students and 50 staff members of our school.
We implemented an Earth Day Garden and Water Festival and Parade of the Species.
Our Earth Day garden party was open to the greater community. We had over 700 people attend and Over 40 vendor, activity and information booths educated and supported healthy garden practices.
Middle School students ran information booths and activities that showed examples of water cohesion and adhesion.
Students and their families made 10 worm compost bins. Families then took home the worm bins to foster them for the school. The compost will be used for our school garden.
We sent home weekly articles on water health to the 425 student families and we put a flyer that included the Salmon friendly gardening tips in the mailboxes of 400 homes.
We purchased books, school aquatic field guides, classroom aquifer models, music cds and videos for our classrooms and school library to increase student awareness of water health.
We purchased materials and built a 3 tier garden compost and tools for our school composting project.
Working with a local artist we created a watershed mosaic.

• We organized a Parade of the Species for Earth Day in which our giant peace dove led parents, students, staff, and neighbors around our hilltop neighborhood dressed as their favorite animals and carrying signs promoting protection of our watersheds.