It seems that every time I answer my home phone, the very kind voice on the other end is either asking me if I want to lower my credit card payments or donate money for one charity or another.
In both cases, it’s so easy to just say no and continue on with the rest of the day. And trust me, I know that you cannot give a donation to every charity or organization that requests it. I do however, know that if you visit or meet with the people these organizations help, you’ll change things in your life to try and help a little more.
“Inured to scenes of misery on TV and in newspapers, meeting these children—mischievous, curious, shy, bold, full of play—shocked us into getting it. These were real children, flesh, blood and spirit, who deserved better than a world that seemed indifferent to their plight.”
This is what Rebecca Levere writes in her article “Documenting Hope: A trip to Zambia opens students’ eyes and changes the course of their lives.” Along with 10 of her students from the University of Toronto Schools private school, she travelled to Zambia to film a documentary about the AIDS pandemic and explore the long term impact that this journey had on her students.
Levere was amazed at the results and the changes that occurred in her students following their return.
“I’m not as smart as I was before I went to Zambia. Before I went to Zambia, I thought I knew a lot about international development. I knew what was wrong with it and how to fix it. In a way, that is why I went to Zambia. I wanted to be able to come home and tell people that fixing the problem of chronic poverty in developing nations was easy, if we just did something differently. But every day was filled with complex problems that challenged what I thought was right.” —Kasia
“It changed my values, and I think that I’ll live a less capitalistic life now, or at least I hope I will. I am giving more… trying not to buy clothing from companies that pay starvation wages—though as a teen into fashion, I must admit I still have room to improve my shopping habits…I think that too many people think that they are just one person and that they can’t make any difference. I used to be one of them.” —Katie
“I was expecting to be depressed and upset. Looking back, I don’t know how I could have thought that. I came out of this experience amazed by the Zambians we met. The entire experience really convinced me that I have to go into international development, that I have to do this for the rest of my life.” —Jane
Although it would be an eye-opening experience for every student to travel to some of these places, this is not possible. But it is possible to bring global issues and the spirit of volunteerism into our homes and classrooms. We can get students to start thinking about global change if we simply asked each student to donate just $1. This small contribution would provide enough for each school in Canada to sponsor one child per year. It’s a start. You have one life, what are you doing with it?
ENGAGE, INSPIRE and MOTIVATE:
How to start a ‘sponsor a child’ project at school or home
(1) MOTIVATE
One person can make a difference! Show your kids that they have the power to change lives and the ability to impact the world. Hundreds of photos, videos and true stories are available for use from on Youtube or through organizations including World Vision, Care Canada and Photosensitive.
(2) CULTIVATE
Give your kids the lead. Let them take ownership of the project and research organizations or ways that they would like to get involved. How do they want to help? Build a school, educate women or donate to an orphanage? For group or school projects, this can be developed into the classroom curriculum, where students can debate or create video proposals that will be judged by fellow classmates or teachers, and the class moves forward with the winning proposal.
(3) FACILITATE
Set your kids up for success, but don’t over-manage. Provide the resources and feedback needed to ensure the project is completed, however have confidence in their leadership abilities. They may surprise you!
(4) CELEBRATE
Celebrate Success. Share your project work with friends, families, students, classrooms, parents, schools, news and media. Before your kids even finish their first project, they’ll want to get started on a second.
What changes will you see in your kids if your family or school sponsors a child?
- Greater sense of co-operation, empathy and responsibility
- A passion to create positive change in their own lives
- Leadership and life skills, creative and critical thinking
- Compassion and an increased interest in social issues
Inspire your children to make a lasting impression on the world. Sponsor a child today. Change a life and change your own.
Agnes Stawicki
Agnes is the Managing Editor, Special Projects at Our Kids Media. We invite you to subscribe to our Our Kids Newsletter for Parents.
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A very good idea for a class project!
A very good idea for a class project!