Scripture Union West Africa: Trauma Awareness & Resilience Workshop, Jos...

Youth & Facilitator Group Dance

My Time at an Orphanage!

I spent a small amount of time with some young boys (between 4 &12) at an orphanage Tuesday - whose parents have died of AIDS or in the conflict or some found sleeping on the streets! They stroked my hair and asked if it was real, they examined my hands and compared them with their own, we sang together and they didn't care at all that my singing sucks....we held hands and danced in a circle.

They asked if I could bring them Bibles..... of all of the things these young boys need or might want, they asked for Bibles. I didn't have anything to give them except my love and affection..... so I knelt down and told them that I didn't have 17 Bibles to give them or toys or money but I had time...the oldest boy looked me in the eyes and asked if I could come back, I said "yes."

I told him that it was not things that made us rich but rather the ability God gave us to LOVE and that we could love each other even if it was only for a short time. We shed tears and began dancing. I'm so thankful for HIS love, the love of this young boy and the love of family and friends and peacebuilders/human rights activists who never give up.

2013 Youth Leadership Institute - Jos Nigeria

Photo by NEEDCSI

 Click here to be redirected to NEEDCSI website

New Era Education and Charitable Support Foundation (NEEDCSI) in Jos Nigeria, the Plateau State is offering 20 full scholarships that include accommodations meals, training and all material for Nigerian youth to attend a two-day training on March 29 & 30, 2013 that, the organization is hosting and executing. The training, The Role of Young People in Nation Building "empower participants by supporting and facilitating the creation of youth-generated activities that promote self-worth, responsibility, intergenerational respect and communication".

NEEDCSI's goal as an organization is to establish cross-cultural leadership teams of young women and men, especially from divided Muslim and Christian groups, with skills that will help them emerge from dysfunctional families and a drug-influenced life on the streets, to become peer-leaders and agents of peace capable of helping themselves and influencing their communities for good. We are intentionally teaming spiritual innovators and other exemplary adults with needful youth to equip them to pass forward all they have learned as valuable, contributing agents of change in their communities. Beginning at the heart, we help young people commit themselves to education and concrete goals, while helping them discover and develop their unique talents, and potentiality. Both self-disciplined and imaginative, these youth are becoming productive citizens and leaders capable of teamwork and shaping a positive, sustainable society that rejects violence and insists on communication excellence and unbridled compassion for all. The youth develop values that include: (1) a sense of belonging to a common and interconnected humanity, (2) respect and a sense of dignity for all people, (3) a dedication to preserving the natural environment, and (4) a strong social service ethic. -->

"Caring for our Sacred Waters", Fundraiser

The Calling Program will be the subject of a documentary film entitled THE CALLING - Heal Ourselves, Heal Our Planet - directed by Oscar nominated filmmaker William Gazecki. The film is in preproduction.

Photo by The Calling

The Calling Hawaii - Youth Empowerment Program
 http://www.thecallinghawaii.com/#!youth-empowerment-program/cj3d



Please join us on February 2nd, 2013 for a fundraiser, "Caring for our Sacred Waters", featuring Kumu Hula Frank Hewett and other kupuna  to benefit scholarships for the Youth Empowerment Program focused on creating Environmental and Social Justice. This unique event will bring together Hawaii's cultural leaders, scientists, visionaries, artists, musicians, and filmmakers to support our youth in a unique opportunity for like-minded individuals to connect, share work, and creatively collaborate in cultivating change.




Event Details
Caring for our Sacred Waters
February 2nd, 2013, 5pm
Midpac Country Club (Lanikai, Oahu)
266 Kalaepulu drive, Kailua, Hawaii, 96734