Children in Mozambique want to be able to play without violence. In order to make their country a safer place to play in, World Vision's Children and Youths With Vision network has launched its "Toy Gun is no Fun" campaign.

The campaign's goal is to change the attitude of both adults and children to such symbols of violence as toy weapons. Such toys are becoming an alarming part of the upbringing of many children in this poor African nation.

"Toy Gun is no Fun" encourages parents to think carefully before buying their children toys, bearing in mind that their choice could be the difference between peace and war in a country still scarred by memories of 16 years of civil strife. The campaign also offers to exchange war toys for more constructive toys, games and school materials. To date, more than 400 toy guns and other war toys have been exchanged.

The campaign has received the endorsement of one of Mozambique's biggest children's TV stars, and the country's only national TV broadcaster has aired the World Vision network's public service ad calling for a violence-free world. After seeing the ad on TV, a delegate to Mozambique's recent children's parliament called for the initiative to come to her province.

"Toy Gun is no Fun" was inspired by an adult peacebuilding campaign launched after the end of Mozambique's civil war, which encouraged people (including former military personnel) to turn in their weapons and other war memorabilia.