I am not going to talk about choice today, though I said I would; actually I am, but in a different way than I had planned. I will probably continue on the theme tomorrow.
Here is a video done by Dave Eggers about a way to express our faith in our schools, and more importantly, in the kids in our communities.
Watch the video please, if you have time...it is about 20 minutes. He is DESPERATELY nervous at first, but is a good speaker. More importantly, he has great things to say.
Here's a link to the video, and below is the embedded version.
You don't have to do all that he has done, you may not be able to do any of what he is done, you may not be able to do anything at all, but please think about what maybe you could do. If you can put together the sort of commitment he has, I'll stand up and applaud, I'll lend whatever help I can from way over here.
Even if you can't, offer what you have. Go to your local school and see if you can help. Help a kid in your neighbourhood. Whatever you can offer. I am, in a minor way, doing a very little bit, I have four people that I am helping with English in a formal way..three are trades, they help me with Catalan as well, and one is just plain old help. She comes over in the evening while I am helping my kids with their homework too. It used to be five, but now she is a friend and it doesn't really count anymore.
It isn't onerous, and it makes a better and stronger community. I've made friends, and met people I otherwise wouldn't as a result of it.
It's a choice we can make for our community and the kids in our community, to make it a better place for us all.
4 comments:
I watched the entire video. What an engaging, enthusiastic, wonderful person he is. (And I loved "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.")
I actually have in front of me (from a local newspaper) a request for volunteers for The Toronto Public Library's Leading to Reading program. I did so much of that when the boys were in public school - and feel I should start again.
Thanks for sharing this video!
Community has withered in much of the "western" world. Without it our local areas are stultified and lacking soul. BUT as you have found, it is NOT yet dead in many places and that sense of community makes a place go from ordinary to great. As nearly always, you must give to get....the old adage of "do unto others as you would want them to do to you" is so true.
We see it so much where I live in the inability to get volunteers for community sports, cultural areas etc. Especially X and Y gen people.
That is an awesome video. He speaks very well and is very engaging and funny. I love all the theme fronts they have. What a superb idea to get everyone involved in one on one work with students in the community. That young boy is quite an inspiration on what can come of such activity. I think I am doing that in a way now with my kids and somewhat with the neighbour boy who spends a bunch of time here. I may have to look into some kind of volunteer stuff once the kids get older and don't need me so much for their one on one. Thanks for sharing the video. I really enjoyed it.
Beth, you're very welcome. I thought he was great, and what he had to say was great too.
Peter, what's an x and y gen person?
Dawn, when the kids are little it is pretty all consuming isn't it.
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