Young Philanthropists
I want to show kids that they can make a difference in the world, make them aware of different causes through the stories of other children and give them a way to help.
I would like to visit children and their families who have benefited from the help of charitable organizations. I want to document what their lives were like before and what they’re like now, after receiving the help they needed.
I’ll use the pictures and stories I’ve gathered to create a gift catalog that people can give to their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friend’s kids – any kid they know, or even those they don’t know. This catalog will be a kid friendly book full of colorful pictures and stories about life in other countries. It will show where other children sleep, what they eat, who takes care of them what games they play and what toys they play with. They’ll see, without being told, that these other children’s lives are different than theirs, harder.
American kids aren’t selfish and uncaring. They’re just so far removed from the suffering in much of the world that it’s hard for them to comprehend how much different life is in other places. They don’t understand how lucky they are to have been born here. Not lucky because they have mp3 players, video games and computers, but because they have a family to care for them, a solid roof over their heads, a soft place to sleep, clean water to drink and a full belly. All things many children don’t have.
I know American kids will be excited to help other children when they understand the problems, and that they can make a difference.
I don’t want to make them feel guilty that they have so much. And this won’t be a book that says, “Look at how poor and sad this kid is. You should feel bad for him.” Many of the differences aren’t bad really, just different. They will be told, though, that there are some basic needs these children aren’t getting. Maybe there is no clean water in her village or his family can’t afford the books he needs to go to school. Suddenly these aren’t grown up causes; they’re children, just like them.
Included in the price of each book will be a gift certificate that the child can spend on whichever cause touches them the most. When they make their choice that money will be forwarded on to the appropriate organization. Later, the child will receive a thank you card with pictures showing how their gift was used. They’ll be able to see how they changed the life of another child thousands of miles away.
Can you imagine the adults these children will grow up to be if they learn at a young age how great it feels to help someone else? And if they understand early on that, even when we don’t have everything we want, compared to most of the world, we have so much? This project won’t just be impacting children in far away lands, it will be impacting children right here.
33 Comments
Your sister mentioned the competition on the AllAboutBigBrother board that we both post at.
Good luck!
Jessie
Great idea Christy. I will be sending on to my friends. GOOD LUCK Love, Aunt Rose, Uncle Lowell
Good luck Christy. Has Freddy been getting any "ribbons" for his golf game?
Jerry
awesome idea!
I voted for you, you vote for me. Let's all do this and see how it turns out. Let's help each other!
Christy, The l8est and gr8est! of your abundant million dollar ideas which would all make the world a better place to be. Here's my vote in hopes you're given the opportunity to realize this one! Love you! Judy
Jessie - Thanks so much for the vote! I appreciate every one.
Thanks Aunt Rose and Uncle Lowell!
Jerry - Freddy said no ribbons but he finally bought a new golf glove.
Father John - sounds good to me.
Judy - Thanks!
Your heart is always in the right place. I "pic'd" you. Good luck! Love you!
Good luck Christy. Maxine a friend of Judy's!!
Great idea Christy. Good Luck!
Christy,
Best of luck. Great idea.
Christy this is a great idea, Good Luck! I will pass it on to everyone I know!
Cathy
Amazing idea! Good luck girl!
Wonderful Idea!!
I voted and sent your wonderful idea on and I see some friends voted for you already! We love you. Aunt Gloria and Uncle Clint
Best of luck to you, Christy.
Sharon
Good Luck to you, please visit my dream also and leave a vote or comment if you are so inspired. Thank you!
Unite against the “network” that is scheming votes. Support ideas that are “lost” due to unworthy ideas using low tactics. “Insulin” is not the best idea. Something is wrong here and many fantastic ideas are getting lost due to the “network.” If you like my idea on “Vanishing Cultures,” vote for it.
Very cool. Please, check me out too when you've got the time.
I love this idea! check out mine and Pic it if youd like! Congo here I come...
Glad to see you think globally....suzi
Bless you! I can't wait to see your photos - Wonderful idea & great dream! Best of luck and you have my "PIC" - please check out my dream of furthering peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs in the Middle East. Thanks!!
Cool idea. Where do you plan to go? I'm voting for you. Feel free to return the favor and vote for my project to document political upheaval, land seizures and rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
I completely love this idea. Great thinking! Ask me at TMB about an organization called Global Citizens. They'd be right up your alley and they have a local presence.
What a great idea :) Children in America really have no idea how truely blessed they are, even when we try to teach them. Good luck!! I will forward on to my friends and family. Lori (from soccer).
you'll probably hate my idea, but you have my vote, If you get the chance, check out my dream "From Australia With Love" and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for it!
Thanks.
-Adam
Good Luck hope all goes well.
Love the Idea. Just voted.
Motherletter
Honey, I love your idea and hope you win! I'll add a link to your post to the Nest Files so other can join in!
love to you,
Nester
I just voted and will post it on my blog Giving Without Spending. Good luck!
Beautiful idea !!!
Good luck to you Christy.
I voted and found you from http://givingwithoutspending.blogspot.com/2009/03/giving-without-spending-help-fellow.html
Hi everyone. Thanks for voting! Please leave me a note so I can say thanks and let me know what you think of the idea and how you found out about it.