Happy Friday Feel Gooders!
I am sure most of you like me have a hard time logging into
the web or social media, or even turning on a TV for that matter without
hearing a little something about futbol (That’s soccer for us American wankers)
and the world cup. I’m not a soccer fan; I’m not really even a fan of sports,
but I am huge a fan of making
positive changes in the lives of impoverished kids.
I ran across this video amongst the soccer/futbol hysteria that
is currently going on and it touched my heart. Ethan King, who is only 14 years
old, traveled to Mozambique (Africa) in 2009 where he was working with his
father on other charitable work, on water wells. Ethan, made a discovery about
something that touched his heart when he was able to make a huge difference in
the lives of the children there simply by giving them a soccer ball.
Ethans Web site: http://charityball.org/
“I’ve discovered that many kids in poor
countries want to play soccer, but they can’t because they don’t have a ball.
If they do have a ball, it’s typically a bunch of plastic garbage bags wadded
up and wrapped with twine and it doesn’t last very long.
As I watched the kids
play, it was hard for me to think that I would be heading back to the States
where I had several soccer balls in my garage just sitting there. These kids in
this village had none. I thought to myself, these kids would enjoy this soccer
ball far more than me. So, I walked over presented my ball as a gift.
As we prepared to
leave, one of the boys brought the soccer ball back to me. I said to him, “No,
this is yours. I’ve given it to you.” Immediately they ran, laughed and cheered
like they had just won the lottery! For me, I loved seeing that they now had a
real ball to play the game.”
According to his web site, his charity (Charity Ball) has now donated a stunning 4 thousand soccer balls to 22 impoverished countries. Two really important things I want to touch on here. One: I remember as a youth watching a television show (LA Law I think, of all things) and a child on the show was in some legal throws in which he was being pulled from both his parents. I remember being really devastated by this and later on going to my mom crying and saying I wanted to give my allowance to kids so they would never be taken from their parents. Point being, as children we are so empathetic, the examples are everywhere.
A list of 10 amazing Charities started by kids! 10 Incredible charities started by kids!
Two: Ethan was already doing something with his father on a charitable
level. The reason I bring this up is that I strongly believe that we’re
products of our environment. I would guess that part of the reason Ethan was
able to do what he did, with this charity, is that his father was giving him
positive guidance and setting an amazing example of what to do with those
feelings. I think this is massively important to recognize that our youth are
already poised to do amazing things, and with the right communication, skills,
and direction those energies they’re bursting with can turn into incredible
accomplishments.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” –Ghandi
Here is the video I saw about this charity, it’s AMAZING!!
HAPPY FRIDAY, FEEL GOODERS!!!
THIS. So much. There is hope- there is always hope.
ReplyDeleteMy faltering faith in humanity has been restored today. Thank you for sharing:)
Thanks so much Kina! sometimes it can be hard, but your kind words help, too!! -Cheers
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