You can build a school, for chrissakes!
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It only costs $8,500 to build a school in a third-world country. Did you know that?
Ok, so the economy might not be at its best at the moment, but I know there are a lot of people who have money and don't know what to do with it. You might be retired, you might have come into an inheritance, or you might have saved up. Wouldn't building a school for children who really need it be a wonderful way to spend that money?
There are many issues facing schools in third-world nations. For instance AIDS/HIV kills teachers at rapid rates in Africa; in South Africa, 30 percent of teachers are HIV positive. Third-world parents seek to send their children to private schools, as government systems offer no incentives for high scores; teachers receive the same pay regardless of scores or attendance.
I just want to remind everyone about the power of compassion. We have to act with humanity in mind because, as people, we have that power to love and hate, as well as the power to choose which we will do. We shouldn't be at peace with ourselves until we know we've done what we can to help others, I think. Even to give a little bit helps; on the Free The Children website, there was a paragraph about a boy who wanted to help build a school and collected soda cans and bottles... from the trailer park where he lived. He found it within himself to give $30, as much as he could.
Even if you know other fortunate people who could help contribute to the building of a school, it would help. Schools collect money to do so; children helping children happens across the world.
I guess I thought of writing this for several reasons. I thought about the war in Iraq and what soldiers are doing overseas (well, not the ones who tortured and humiliated detainees, or murdered civilians), and the sacrifices they make to help us in America as well as those in the Middle East. I thought about the last lecture by Randy Pausch, which is one of the most inspiring movies I've seen. I also thought about turning 21 years old, and having something to show for it.
I just think that this is something worth considering. Maybe you're feeling a little down and you want to do something to feel good about yourself. Maybe you just want to spend some money. You may even want to travel a little. If you don't have the $8,500 to build a school, you can maybe pay $2,000-3,000 to go on a volunteer trip!
Look into the different options available to you. There is so much you can do with your time and money, maybe worth more than anything you can think of doing for yourself alone.
Volunteer Abroad in Belize
Honestly, is there anything more compelling than these cute faces?
Additional resources
- Free The Children - Home
- How To Build a School in a Third World Country | eHow.com
How to Build a School in a Third World Country. As the old parable says: 'Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.' There are many ways to help build schools in remote areas of the world that ... - Build a School in a Developing Nation
Build a school in a developing nation during a volunteer vacation: By constructing a school building, you'll help students to pull their families out of poverty - Help Build a School in Nepal
- Volunteer Abroad - International Volunteering Guide - VolunteerAbroad.com
Volunteerabroad.com is the directory for international volunteer programs. Search through thousands of volunteer programs around the world. - Volunteer Abroad Opportunities
Volunteer Abroad with Global Crossroad in more than 30 Countries. Global Crossroad offers most reliable, quality, and affordable volunteer abroad, internship, adventure and cross-cultural experience world-wide - Volunteer Abroad, Gap Year Abroad, Intern Abroad with Cosmic Volunteers in Asia, Africa, South Ameri
Cosmic Volunteers offers international volunteer programs in 8 countries. Cosmic Volunteers is an international not-for-profit organization, founded in 2001 with operations in Ecuador, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Vietnam.
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Comments
This is good information. I have 3 stages of giving money, none of which are huge. I pick one local charity, one national charity, and one worldwide charity.
I give time, anywhere the inspiration to do so hits, and the little bit of money I give doesn't help a lot, but it's rice for the hungry and mosquito nets for the ill, and shelter for the homeless. Every penny matters. Every minute of time counts. There are some sights that donate rice for every click on certain links. It's a fun google search to seek out how you can give online.
Thanks for reminding us of that. =)
It is good to know that a young person like you would think of doing good to people in Africa. Your mind is quite active in the right direction. Let us hope more young people will do the same. The world will be a better place to live in.
I just hope this article will reach those people who have lots of money and good heart and willing to donate their resources to countries who really need a school...well done...
The economy is bad for those of us who try to play by the rules, and that is a fact. However, I see a lot of people with more money than brains out there at the casinos, losing money right and left, and I wonder - where is their sense of humanity?
Whether one is religious, and therefore driven by the needs to do good things in the name of God, or if one is simply wanting to help others because we all live on this lonely, blue planet, I really wonder why people who get such a thrill at mindlessly pulling little slot-machine levers can't get an even larger thrill at building a school that will possible help educate a future doctor or help people learn to grow crops more productively while adding back nutrents to their otherwise depleted soils?
Maybe if those amongst us with excess cash - (I wish I were one of them, because I would definitely find ways to help others!) - would spend it on things that matter instead of feeding their own egos and addicitions, the world would slowly begin to climb up to a point where a bright future for everyone would be possible.
You may call me a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
Great hub!
Thank you on behalf of children across the world for writing this hub. There are so many ways for people to give back, but some simply aren't aware of the charities out there, or the struggles people are going through. We tend to be so caught up in our own lives that we forget how lucky we are compared to those wo have no schools, clean water, shelter, or even the promise of tomorrow. Hopefully some people will be inspired to give after reading this hub.
Great hub. it is wonderful that you can build awareness.
living africa one cannot be too aware of aids, poverty, education and the like. We (those of us ho can) are always giving to charities through our media and competitions (part of which in some cases is given to the needy) I also belong to an organisation whose prime purpose is to raise charity funds to give to the needy, Over one milllion Rand was given to Aids orphans last year.
Thank you for your comments, everyone!
It's so true that every click, every penny helps. It's the thought that counts, and though some of us don't have as much money as others (sigh), we can still do something. It helps to think about how much we have and what it would be like if we didn't have it all of a sudden.
I'm so happy to hear that you all have ways of giving, whether local charities or to AIDS orphans! :D
And about casinos... what a waste of money. I've never gambled and I certainly don't plan on it.
In The Doghouse says:
17 months ago
Glassvisage,
There are so many wonderful causes that can be supported when you check into them. This was a wonderful reminder of how every little bit can help others when we decide to give. I loved how you made the comparison of how little a school would cost to build in a third world country. We in the US simply cannot comprehend how good we have it until we look around ourselves and really SEE! Thanks for the reminder of how we need to be less selfish and more giving.