While there is no right or wrong answer, we'd love to hear what you think. Each month we will post a thought provoking question to gauge the collective opinions of the Children International community.
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Showing posts with label poor children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poor children. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Remembering to Say “Thanks”
Posted on behalf of Kelly Nix.
One of the biggest casualties of the frenzy of modern life is the simple phrase, “Thank you.”
Are we becoming more self-centered, or have our busy schedules so encroached on our minds that we’re only semi-aware of the myriad lives we touch on a daily basis, and of the many blessings of varying sizes we enjoy? Either way, the demise of “Thank you” is a big loss to our society as a whole.
Two little words that can make hours of hard labor worthwhile. Two words that bring a smile to faces creased with stress. Two words that bring things back into focus and make us remember that we’re entitled to nothing…and every comfort we enjoy is truly a blessing.
And are we ever blessed! I could go on endlessly about the want and deprivation the families we work with around the world suffer…I could talk about the days some of them don’t eat, and of the hours of sweat and toil under hot tropical suns, to be rewarded with nothing more than a buck or two for their labor…but I’d rather talk about what they DO have.
They have dignity. Most have a strong work ethic. Thanks to sponsorship, they have hope. And they know how to say “Thanks!”
In fact, that’s what we hear more than anything else when we visit the field. From moms…dads…teenagers and little children: “Thanks!” Thanks to God. Thanks to their sponsors. Thanks to the agency staff…and thanks to you.
That’s what I had in mind when I put together the “Thanksgiving Around the World” slideshow that’s currently on our homepage, at www.children.org. Why not check it out and let us know what you think?
And most importantly, have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving celebration!
One of the biggest casualties of the frenzy of modern life is the simple phrase, “Thank you.”
Are we becoming more self-centered, or have our busy schedules so encroached on our minds that we’re only semi-aware of the myriad lives we touch on a daily basis, and of the many blessings of varying sizes we enjoy? Either way, the demise of “Thank you” is a big loss to our society as a whole.
Two little words that can make hours of hard labor worthwhile. Two words that bring a smile to faces creased with stress. Two words that bring things back into focus and make us remember that we’re entitled to nothing…and every comfort we enjoy is truly a blessing.
And are we ever blessed! I could go on endlessly about the want and deprivation the families we work with around the world suffer…I could talk about the days some of them don’t eat, and of the hours of sweat and toil under hot tropical suns, to be rewarded with nothing more than a buck or two for their labor…but I’d rather talk about what they DO have.
They have dignity. Most have a strong work ethic. Thanks to sponsorship, they have hope. And they know how to say “Thanks!”
In fact, that’s what we hear more than anything else when we visit the field. From moms…dads…teenagers and little children: “Thanks!” Thanks to God. Thanks to their sponsors. Thanks to the agency staff…and thanks to you.
That’s what I had in mind when I put together the “Thanksgiving Around the World” slideshow that’s currently on our homepage, at www.children.org. Why not check it out and let us know what you think?
And most importantly, have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving celebration!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Behind the Scenes: Meet the Writer
Posted on behalf of Scott Cotter
I grew up in a rural town outside of Kansas City and was fortunate enough to see the holidays for what they were truly meant to be…a simple and important time of giving and togetherness.
I fondly recall my mother working with the church and various other organizations to make sure poor families had something to eat on Thanksgiving Day. And how these same groups wouldn’t forget those families come Christmas.
It means even more to me today to understand what sort of struggles my parents faced every year trying to raise four boys and make ends meet. And that, no matter what, they always made sure we had what we needed and tried their best to care for others.
That time was long ago. But the lessons my wonderful mother made sure my three brothers and I understood still stand today. It truly is better to give than receive.
Proof of that can be seen in the pictures we’re featuring starting tomorrow on children.org. They were taken of sponsored children last year who, thankfully, were able to feel the true meaning of Christmas…thanks to folks like you.
Scott Cotter is a long-time writer for Children International. His stories appear regularly in Children International's Journeys magazine, on our website and in various other publications. His slideshow on Christmas for sponsored children will appear on www.children.org on Tuesday, November 6. Be sure to check it out!
I grew up in a rural town outside of Kansas City and was fortunate enough to see the holidays for what they were truly meant to be…a simple and important time of giving and togetherness.
I fondly recall my mother working with the church and various other organizations to make sure poor families had something to eat on Thanksgiving Day. And how these same groups wouldn’t forget those families come Christmas.
It means even more to me today to understand what sort of struggles my parents faced every year trying to raise four boys and make ends meet. And that, no matter what, they always made sure we had what we needed and tried their best to care for others.
That time was long ago. But the lessons my wonderful mother made sure my three brothers and I understood still stand today. It truly is better to give than receive.
Proof of that can be seen in the pictures we’re featuring starting tomorrow on children.org. They were taken of sponsored children last year who, thankfully, were able to feel the true meaning of Christmas…thanks to folks like you.
Scott Cotter is a long-time writer for Children International. His stories appear regularly in Children International's Journeys magazine, on our website and in various other publications. His slideshow on Christmas for sponsored children will appear on www.children.org on Tuesday, November 6. Be sure to check it out!
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