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One Peace at a Time
by Amy Chait
February 23 |
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With so many causes to address in this world, we may find it easy to ask: where do I begin?
We begin with one child at a time, and I learned this by attending a screening for Turk Pipkin’s documentary “One Peace at a Time.” Our conscience might motivate us to donate or volunteer because it is the right thing to do; however, the causes for children are not just the right thing to do – the UN actually states they have the right to the same fundamental needs we have.
In the documentary, Turk Pipkin trotted around the world with his camera to not only document devastating issues in different regions – but solutions that are making a substantial impact in education, nutrition, and health. Although we may find it difficult to fathom what living in a third world country would be like – we must understand over 80% of the world’s population live in such realities.
There’s one reality that became a beautiful mess for me: education for children in third world countries. I say ‘mess’ because there are 121 million children deprived of an education worldwide, but a beautiful one because of the enthusiasm and joy that gleams from these child faces for the one chance to enter a classroom. A student happily entered a first grade classroom at age 21 and girls in Ethiopia were finally freed from hauling buckets of water when a clean water source was built in their city.
Basic needs revolutionize third world villages, and they cannot break the cycle of poverty if their children are never given the chance. These children sit on rocks, walk hours to attend the nearest school, and cram into buildings that are deteriorating (that’s if they are not working to support their parents or suffering from a preventable disease).
Think about it this way:
Nearly half of the world's children are living in poverty, so imagine how much of an impact could be made if we assist in elevating one child at a time with basic needs to contribute back to society (rather than slide into slums and low literacy rates). With only $40, you could invest in a child's education for a year in a developing country.
As mentioned in the film, material things have lower value than knowledge. I sincerely smiled when a run-down school had a sign that read “hard work pays off' – illuminating the hope education places in the most unlikely setting.
If you want to host or search for a screening for "One Peace at a Time," click here.
Mahiga Hope High School
Turk Pipkin is currently pursuing an endeavor with Willie Nelson to build the first high school in rural Kenya, simply because education should not stop after the 8th grade.
The bright side? You can help be a part of this project, and join the momentum of advocating children’s rights around the world.
Help them build Mahiga Hope High School !
Do you have an inspirational story that you would like to share with the YourCause.com team? Write us at info@yourcause.com.
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