By Saviru Bandara, age 11, Australia

My Vesak themed artwork (see above) shows how I celebrate my culture as a Sri Lankan Buddhist (who lives in Australia) during the Vesak festival.

The Vesak Festival (වෙසක් උත්සවය) is the most important and sacred celebration for Buddhists around the world. It takes place on the full‑moon day in May and marks three significant events in the life of Lord Buddha: his birth, his enlightenment, and his passing away. In 1999, the United Nations officially recognized Vesak as an International Day, showing its importance as a symbol of peace for the whole world.

Vesak is celebrated annually by all Buddhists around the world. Despite cultural differences, the central purpose of the festival remains the same everywhere—to honour the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, peace, and wisdom.

Just a few days before Vesak, I make Vesak lanterns (called Vesak kudu, in Sinhalese, our native language from Sri Lanka) with my friends at our community language school in Australia. Normally, each child makes one Vesak lantern. Then adults take it to our Buddhist temple to hang it on Vesak morning. In the evening, our Vesak lanterns are lighted.

On the Vesak Day, we go to temple and observe sill. During Sil programme, a Buddhist monks talk to us about Buddha’s teachings. Also, they teach us how to meditate. So, our mind becomes more peaceful.

When we go to the temple in the morning to celebrate Vesak we take flowers, incense sticks, and oil or wax lamps. These items have symbolic meanings: flowers remind us of the beauty (and the impermanence) of life, incense represents purity, and lamps symbolize enlightenment. I like watering the Bodhi tree on the day (Buddha received the enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree).

On Vesak Day, grown-ups and kids can join in the Vesak Perahia or Vesak parade. Traditional dancers, drummers, and performers and devotees take part in the procession. In Sri Lanka, elephants decorated with beautiful colourful costumes also take part in the parade.

In the evening at our temple, we participate in giving free food or Dansala to people. We offer free tea, coffee or herbal drinks for the devotees visiting the temple. This opportunity teaches us collective work as well as the importance of donating.

Beyond the celebrations, the heart of Vesak lies in its message. It reminds people to be kind, peaceful, and mindful in their daily lives. The festival encourages everyone, regardless of their religion or background, to practice good deeds and bring happiness to others.

Vesak is a festival that combines joy, reflection, and compassion. It celebrates the life and teachings of the Buddha while inspiring people to become more thoughtful and caring. Vesak continues to spread a message of harmony and kindness that is meaningful for people everywhere. Also, Vesak helps me to preserve my Sri Lankan culture in my new home as an immigrant in Australia.

If you visit Sri Lanka, during the month of May, you can see and enjoy all of the Vesak celebrations and traditions. The festival is being celebrated this year in Sri Lanka (as in many other countries of the world) on May 30th. Because many Asian cultures still follow lunar calendar, in some communities, it might also be celebrated on May 1st.

By Saviru Bandara, age 11 Australia.

2025 Civil Rights Art Contest Winners!

First Place Winner: 

 “Chardi Kala: Resilience in Action” by Tara Kodial, grade 12, New York.

2nd Place Joint Winners: 

“Roses and Thorns: A Bengali Woman’s Journey in Film” by Grace Saji, gr. 12, California.

“Dance Captured Through a Screen” by Eshita Lahiry, grade 12, Louisiana.

3rd Place Joint Winners:

“Dancer Breaking Free” by Aditi Karthik, grade 9, Georgia.

“Financial Freedom Teachings through Mehendi” by Zainab Habeeb, gr. 12, California.

By Kate Han, age 16, from South Korea, studies in Canada.

‘A’ Series of Journeys by Kate Han, age 16, Canada.

I’ve always struggled with the question, “Where are you from?” It’s not that I don’t know; the answer has never felt complete. I was born in Korea, spent much of my childhood in India, and now study in Canada. Each country left something inside me, not just as memories but as layers of identity. My artwork (see above) , ‘A’ Series of Journeys, emerged from this sense of fragmented belonging. But without the backstory, I realized the artwork feels like a silent map—colorful but unexplained. This is the narrative behind that map.

From Korea to India: My First Migration

I was five when my family moved from Seoul to Bangalore. What I remember most from those early days was the constant feeling of being “new.” New sounds, new smells, new alphabets. Even at that age, I knew I wasn’t just visiting—I was being asked to live someone else’s normal. In school, I was the only Korean girl. I didn’t speak Kannada or Hindi, and I barely knew English. But children don’t wait for fluency. I played tag with my hands, not my words. I watched others tie their shoes, share lunch, and greet teachers. I mimicked until it became second nature.

India gave me my first lesson in courage: that you can belong without blending in thoroughly. My neighbors wore saris and spoke a language I didn’t understand, but they treated me like family. We celebrated Diwali together, and over time, the questions stopped being “Where are you from?” and started becoming “Are you coming to dinner?”

India didn’t erase my Korean self. Instead, it added to it. I still spoke Korean at home, wrote Hangul in my diary, and celebrated Chuseok with food parcels from my grandmother. But the girl who lit sparklers on the rooftop during Deepavali wasn’t pretending. She was expanding.

Canada: A New Kind of Destination

Years later, I moved again—this time on my own, to a boarding school in Canada. If India was about cultural immersion, Canada was about cultural comparison. I had more words now, and more awareness. I could see how my classmates viewed “Asia” as a single block. I could also see how they saw me: someone exotic, sometimes confusing, occasionally admirable. Someone told me, “Wow, your English is excellent.” It was meant as a compliment, but I felt the space between us widen.

Boarding school life sharpened my understanding of identity—mine and everyone’s. I met friends from Nigeria, Ukraine, Mexico, and Australia. Some had never left their home countries before.

Some, like me, had already moved across continents. We bonded over strange cafeteria food, homesickness, and midnight conversations about who we were becoming.

Canada taught me that identity is not a finished product. It’s in constant motion. You carry your past, but you also build your future with every choice—what you say, how you listen, which memories you protect.

Why I Made the Board

‘A’ Series of Journeys started as a personal project to visualize this idea of motion. I used pins and thread to create intersections, connections, and collisions. Each line on the board represented a person, a place, a story, or a version of myself. The foam base—soft yet firm—symbolized the adaptability I’ve had to develop. The photos marked moments in time that still speak to me. Together, they formed a chaotic and orderly piece, much like my life.

But something felt unfinished. It was only after receiving the Skipping Stones Editor message that I understood why. The board is a conversation starter, but it needs a voice. The images are full of meaning, but only when paired with a story. Without this reflection, the piece may be a decorative design, not a lived experience. That’s why I’m writing this—to give the work its missing voice.

What I’ve Learned

I’ve learned that home is not a location—it’s a rhythm. It’s in how you wake up, how you say goodbye, what you find strange, and what you start calling your own. In India, I learned to listen before speaking. In Canada, I learned to question people’s meaning by saying “diversity.” In Korea, roots can deepen even when far from the soil.

Another lesson: People are much more than the labels we use. The word “immigrant” doesn’t tell whether someone is hopeful or scared. “International student” doesn’t reveal how many languages people hear in their dreams. I’ve learned to ask better questions. Not “Where are you from?” but “What feels like home to you?”

Above all, I’ve learned that my journey is not a detour—it’s the main road. My experiences are not interruptions to everyday life; they are my life. And through them, I’ve gained a sense of the world and a stronger sense of self.

Why This Matters

For young people like me, art is more than expression. It’s a translation. It’s how we turn complexity into something we can share. I hope ‘A’ Series of Journeys speaks to anyone who has felt between places, languages, or versions of themselves. I hope it shows that confusion can lead to clarity and discomfort can lead to growth.

This write-up is not the end of the project—it’s part of it. The series continues as long as I live, move, reflect, and create.

By Kate Han, age 16, grade 11, originally from South Korea, currently studies in a boarding school in British Columbia, Canada.

By Viraj Ajgaonkar, age 12, grade 8, Mumbai, India.

Adam Bobrow sketch by Viraj Ajgaonkar.

I am an emerging professional table tennis player, and I do my best to actively compete at Mumbai’s city level table tennis tournaments. There are multiple players whom I greatly adore and I always try to imbibe their techniques that help me to improve my game.

But there’s this guy who is quite unique, and he has created a meritorious place for himself as an official table tennis commentator in the UTT and WTT tournaments. When he was a professional player, he was popular for his signature snake serves and hitting the ball across the table.

Yes, you guessed it right. He is our very own the “Voice of table tennis,” Mr. Adam Bobrow!

He is also a successful YouTuber wherein he battles out professional players—from China’s Ma Long and Fan Zhendong to France’s Lebrun brothers or Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, right up to India’s Sharath Kamal or even USA’s Kanak Zha.

His humorous style of talking in his typical American accent, his colourful t-shirts and shorts, and his strong command over the language makes him very unique. He is truly fun-loving and seems to enjoy traveling to diverse places. For a recent Doha tournament, he traveled light—with just one backpack!

He has had played a pivotal role in spreading the passion for table tennis (ping pong) by challenging even the enthusiastic non-players of various age groups across the world through the solid platform of PingPod.

You will notice that he is a keen observer when you see him play against professional players in the challenge games. He tries to study their strengths and other technical aspects of backhand/ forehand strokes, chop, block, etc. He then effectively blends it especially in his English commentary. He often gives nicknames to many players—like Xuperman to Xu Xin or The Golden Girl to Manika Batra.

I’d like to take an opportunity through this article to invite you, Mr. Bobrow, to our city of Mumbai at Shivaji Park Gymkhana and Park Club. Mr. Bobrow, do come and challenge me and my other senior buddies, and let’s have a blast over here to create some unforgettable moments!                     

         By Viraj Ajgaonkar, Age 12, Grade 8, Bombay Scottish School, Mumbai, India.

* Table Tennis is known as Ping Pong in many countries of the world.

The Create Resilience Youth Art Contest for Suicide Prevention is your chance to make a difference! You can submit your creative work—an essay, poem, song, story, or something else—focused on improving youth mental health. Send your entries by August 1st, 2025. Contest winners will be announced on September 10th, which is World Suicide Prevention Day. Cash prizes for the winners! Get creative and share your voice! For more information, click here. (PS: This contest is limited to Oregon youth aged 13 to 21 only). 

By participating, you can help stop the silence, shame, and stigma around mental health. Each one of us is born unique. We are one-of-a-kind and can never be replaced. Think of everyone as a seed—when given the right care and attention, we can grow into something amazing. The gift of life is the most precious gift of all. Yet, there are those who feel so incredibly alone, hurt, without hope, and in so much pain, that they don’t want to live anymore.

Tragically, suicide is a leading cause of death, both in the U.S. and around the world. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the 11th leading cause of death in the U.S. And, in Oregon, it is the second leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 34. Having access to lethal means (like guns) greatly increases the risk of suicide. That’s why it’s important to always make sure guns are safely secured.

“Time and distance” help prevent suicide. When we are suicidal, we do not think rationally. Our thinking is all distorted. We forget the truth that there is hope and that the pain we feel will not last forever and we can and will feel better again. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Giving ourselves “time” means we do not react impulsively or make plans to end our life. Instead, we calm ourselves by doing “box breathing,” engaging in healthy distractions like listening to music, reading, making art, exercising, and more. We reach out for support by calling or texting 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number), contacting trustworthy adults or friends, and speaking with our therapist or doctor. We can visit a nearby walk-in crisis center or go to a hospital emergency room.

We need to create “distance” from weapons, dangerous medications, substance use, and alcohol. We also need “distance” from negative and distorted thoughts. That’s why reaching out for help is important. When we are in emotional distress, we may feel like we are a “burden” to others, but that is just not true! By sharing our thoughts and feelings with people who care, we gain the clarity we need to start addressing the actual problems.

Your being alive is not the problem! You very much deserve to be alive—and—to stay alive.

We can all help prevent suicide, and knowing the warning signs that put us at risk is essential. Some of the warning signs to look out for include mood changes such as sadness, depression, irritability, anger, social isolation, change in sleep and/or appetite, loss of interest in activities, lack of pleasure, and thoughts of dying.

Asking someone if they are having thoughts about ending their life or not wanting to wake up again is not going to increase their risk of suicide. In fact, asking directly can be the first step to saving their life. It’s also important to share our concerns with a trusted adult, who can help determine the best course of action.

Resources including the 988 Lifeline, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and National Alliance on Mental Illness provide valuable support and help. Please take the time to check them out! Your life and the life of your loved ones will thank you.

By Diane Kaufman, MD. Diane is a poet, artist, humanism-in-medicine awardee, retired child psychiatrist, and founder/director of the Hold On Campaign for Suicide Prevention that uses the power of art to educate, connect, express, and heal. She can be reached at diane@holdoncampaign.org.

“Keila is too cool for school. I painted Keila in ink and gouache.”

“Cassie has positive vibes. I painted Cassie in ink and gouache.”

“This is my interpretation of the classical Okinawan story called “The Legend of the Shisa.” I drew this digitally using Procreate.”

The Legend of the Shisa

Retold by Leicie Tonouchi, Age 14, Hawaii.

A long time ago in Okinawa, Japan, the villagers were partying at the beach when out of nowhere they saw something big—a serpent from the sea!

The serpent began to terrorize the village. One of the villagers looked at the Shisa (Okinawan lion dog) statue and prayed for help and miraculously the Shisa statue became alive! The Shisa battled the serpent and chased it back into the ocean. The villagers cheered as their homes had been saved. When everyone was safe, the Shisa turned back into a statue again. This is why in every home in Okinawa, people have two Shisa statues in each household. A male Shisa with an open mouth to scare away the evil spirits and a female Shisa with a closed mouth to keep in the good energy.

The following organizations and cultural projects are mentioned in this collection. We encourage you to check them out and offer support where your heart is inclined.

Meera Center for Skills Development in Cairo offers learning and enrichment activities for Gazan refugees.   From 2011-23, Wejdan Diab directed the award-winning Meera Kindergarten in Gaza City. She now offers a nurturing space in Cairo, where children can learn, play and heal from the trauma of the war. Donate here to support Meera Center.

Palestine Charity Team (PCT) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization providing humanitarian aid to families in Rafah, Gaza. PCT sponsored Sing to Live in Peace, a children’s music program, and the Gaza Heartbeat, a creative writing workshop for older youth. Currently, PCT is focusing on getting food aid into southern Gaza and setting up portable classrooms and activities for children. Donate to PCT. More original music by Bakr Khader is available on YouTube.

Sobhi Qouta, from Gaza City, is an art teacher for students of all ages. IDF airstrikes destroyed his studio and all its art, including the student paintings featured in this issue. To help Sobhi rebuild his studio, please contact Fred Rogers.

Abraham’s Land, a musical play, by guest editor Lauren Goldman Marshall, is set in Israel and Gaza during the First Intifada. A video of the 2021 professional production was shown by PCT in Gaza and is available on YouTube.

You can read the Special Issue on Palestine and Israel, published online by Skipping Stones.

Additional Resources

There is a wealth of charitable organizations serving Palestinians. Here are some of our favorite organizations you may not have heard of:

A Land for All envisions a binational solution (two states, one homeland) with Jewish majority and Palestinian majority regions, freedom of movement and right of return for all.

The Humanity Project:The Maal Foundation serves a wide variety of needs of Gazan refugees in Cairo, including financial support, medical care, psychological and educational support.

The Leonard Education Organization ( LE.O) supports under-resourced Palestinian students with higher educational opportunities. Donate to LE.O or to the special fund for Gazan medical students in Egypt, or the In the Wings scholarship for a student from Gaza to study in the arts.

Middle East Children’s Alliance protects the health, lives, and rights of kids in the Middle East.

Interlink Publishing offers a wide selection of books on Palestine.

International Board on Books for Young People – Palestine Section and Gaza Libraries project

Tomorrow’s Women empowers Palestinian and Israeli women to make peaceful change.

Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) – Palestine supports Palestinian-led, nonviolent, grassroots resistance against the Israeli occupation.

ANAR is an important project for traumatized children living in the West Bank. 

The Liberation Syllabus for Educators by the progressive Jewish organization If Not Now lists books, poetry, films, art, and music for students of all ages to engage with the reality of the occupation.

Standing Together is a progressive grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel against the occupation for peace, equality and social justice.

By Maya Govindaraj, age 17, from Texas, is currently studying in Chennai, India.

Plastic is Destroying our World!

Beaches are vital ecosystems that support diverse marine life. However, the beauty of beaches is increasingly threatened by pollution, littering, and unsustainable human activities. According to global health experts, “Ocean pollution is posing threats to human health that are great and growing. It is causing disease, disability, and premature death in countries around the world today.” My journey from the beaches of Galveston, Texas, to the shores of Chennai, India, brought me face to face with the complexities of beach cleanliness. By participating in a local beach cleanup event, I gained insight into the challenges facing beach conservation efforts. Galveston beach in Texas is known for its wide stretches of sand, warm water, and opportunities for activities like swimming, and sunbathing. Chennai, on the other hand, is a coastal city in India, situated along the Bay of Bengal with beaches stretching for several kilometers and known for its lively atmosphere, with vendors selling snacks and toys, and locals enjoying various activities like kite flying and cricket. While efforts are being made to maintain cleanliness along the Galveston beaches by local authorities; in Chennai, cleanliness efforts on beaches have faced challenges. Although local authorities and environmental groups are trying to address cleanliness issues it is difficult due to high population density, inadequate waste management, and limited public awareness and participation in conservation efforts.

Participating in a Beach Clean-up Event

By conducting an online survey among Chennai residents who frequent the beach, I was able to gather valuable insights regarding their attitudes and behaviors toward littering and beach cleanliness. Although the survey demographics skewed towards 68% female respondents, with the majority holding at least a high school or higher education degree, a unanimous consensus emerged among them. They emphasized the importance of maintaining beach cleanliness to protect marine life, reduce health risks, preserve the natural beauty of the shoreline, and promote tourism. They advocated for proper waste disposal in designated bins, the use of reusable items over disposables, educational projects to raise awareness, and active participation in organized beach clean-up efforts. According to respondents, the primary factors contributing to litter accumulation include irresponsible behavior, entrenched cultural attitudes towards littering, inadequate provision of waste bins, and insufficient efforts by authorities to address cleaning needs.

Beaches are valuable natural assets that deserve our protection and stewardship. By adopting responsible behavior, supporting local initiatives, raising awareness, and advocating for policy changes we should all play a part in keeping beaches clean to ensure improved health and well-being and their preservation for future generations.

Footnotes:

1. Texas Disposal Systems. “Ocean Pollution: Causes, Effects, Prevention | TDS.” Texas Disposal Systems, 2 Feb. 2024, www.texasdisposal.com/blog/ocean-pollution-causes-effects-and-prevention.
2. Landrigan, P J, et al. “Human Health and Ocean Pollution.” Annals of Global Health, vol. 86, no. 1, 2020, p. 151, doi:10.5334/aogh.2831.
3. “Beach Cleanups, MarineBio Conservation Society.” MarineBio Conservation Society, www.marinebio.org/conservation/ocean-dumping/beach-cleanups.
   
   

   Texas, the Lone Star State. By Maya Govindaraj, age 17.

   Editor’s Note: Please also read the article, My Indian Memories by Maya’s brother Arjun, also published today!

   About the Authors:
   Arjun and Maya are 17-year-old twins at the American International School in Chennai, India. As USTA-ranked tennis players, they love sports and have won medals in South Asian Interscholastic Association competitions. Both serve as Student Ambassadors, bridging cultural gaps through orientation and wellness programs. Passionate about community service, they have both worked with various organizations. They also have co-founded the non-profit Mission BE A Resource, securing grants to support disadvantaged children. Arjun is a tech enthusiast with a love for outdoor adventures, while Maya enjoys helping elementary school teachers and expressing her creativity through art.

Nova R., age 8, lives in Springfield, Oregon. She loves drawing and she creates many pictures of girls. Her colors of choice are bold and bright. Another activity Nova really likes is “Aerial Silks” which involves aerial acrobatic acts of strength and coordination.