As I was throwing a bottle in the recycling box back in December, a new poster captured my attention:
AWARENESS WEEK
Help us Save the World!
Buy a woven bracelet $1
Buy a shirt $10
I love the optimism of teenagers who want to “save the world.” As an old teacher with jaded eyes, it’s so easy to be cynical at young people who vow to save the world. That cynicism, however, dissipates when I am in the presence of so many young souls who see nothing the slightest bit overreaching, quixotic, or idealistic to set out to “save the world.”
They mean it, and, more importantly, they work hard to make it come true.
My high school regularly collects money – lots of money – to send to Africa, for famine relief, to end hunger, to buy Tom’s shoes and book bags for impoverished students, Christmas gifts for young children. Any dedicated student with a cause and a dream can collect hundreds of dollars from students on my campus.
I watch the devastation in Haiti with horror and sadness.
I pray.
I write a check.
I KNOW that we are limited in what we can do because of the poor Haitian infrastructure and dysfunctional government.
Teenagers see the same destruction.
They spread the word.
Collect money.
Create care packages.
They KNOW they can end suffering.
Teenagers may be optimistic, idealistic, and innocent, but when we stare in horror at what is happening in Haiti today, we need more of those kind souls who are out to save the world, souls who fervently believe that they can save the world.
Note
For good spellers with good eyesight, please overlook the misspelling of “sponsored.” When kids are out to save the world, there’s little time to run Spell Check!
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Edie Parrott
2 comments on this topic
16. January - 10:00 am
I love the line about spell check. That’s so true. I find that kids definitely want to save the world and one of the best parts of learning program is that they get to see their limitations. They lose some of the hubris and savior complex and sometimes the overwhelming reality of a broken world can be tough. But that’s the cool part of watching them develop a true social concience.
16. January - 10:16 am
I agree, John! I am amazed also at their resilience. Even when they see that problems aren’t as easy to solve as they thought, they keep trying instead of giving up.
16. January - 12:57 pm
If only we could keep them from becoming those adults with jaded eyes! Gosh, I miss having contact with those wonderful young people!
16. January - 7:49 pm
They miss you too, Margaret!
19. January - 8:18 pm
The world is just so wide open.
There is much to be concerned about…
when I was in school, all we did was take up food for the needy — and those needy were in our neighborhoods ..
Now— it’s just everywhere.
Sad.
I’m glad that there are those students who wish to do for others.
19. January - 8:21 pm
True! We only knew the hardships in our own neighborhood back in those days. We are so old!