3rd Day of Thanks&Giving - Education

I had one goal before I had children - to finish my bachelors degree. Whether it was fate or perfect planning on my part, I brought my oldest son, Corbin, home from the hospital the same day I received my diploma from Brigham Young University. As I had planned since the age of 14, I studied International Relations and was well on my way to saving the world. My education has not only given me a broader perspective of the world, but it has given me oppportunities to serve and grow in ways I never would have imagined. It has allowed me to travel and teach and share with others my passion for community development and poverty alleviation. It has made me a better mother and a more productive member of society. I am so thankful for education I have recieved and am so grateful that my sons will have many of those same opportunities. I hope we do not take for granted all the knowledge that is available to us.

All around the world, there are millions of children who do not have the opportunity for an education. Many do not even have a place to call home. In El Salvador, I had the chance to work at a home for street boys. I could not believe how young some of them were - and before coming to this home, they were expected to provide for and take care of themselves, literally on the streets of a large city. Many of them had been abused and that is why they chose to live this way instead of going home. Most of them had been involved with crime, drugs, violence, street gangs, or all of the above. This home helped integrate them back into society by putting them back in school, giving them vocational training, and most importantly, giving them the emotional support and confidence they needed to progress with their lives. I am so grateful to those who help make this happen and who see more in these boys than the menacing label society would put on them.

In Uganda, there is a similar organization. Though new and fairly small, they are having a profound effect on children that others have forgotten about. They are The Youth Outreach Mission. It is run by a few young men, who after completely their university studies, have decided to return home and do all they can to help the less fortunate in their communities. Volunteers of HELP International have had the opportunity to work with them for a couple years now and have had tremendous experiences. I mentioned them previously here, but that was just one small part of what they do. To see more, check out their blog here, and just remember that it is amazing that they even have an internet presence. This is true grassroots efforts making a real difference in the lives of Ugandan street children. These guys are amazing - so motivated and dedicated. They are very inspiring!