Please read...this will warm your heart!

by coffee_black 21 Replies latest jw friends

  • coffee_black
    coffee_black

    My daughter has just gone through a horrific divorce. The bright spots in her life are her children. Here is what here oldest is doing.... I'm in awe.

    I wanted to share some news with you. My grandson, David, (age 14) has been selected as one of Oprah's "O Ambassadors". There are 20 teams across the country of students who are involved in the International Baccalaureate Program. David is his team leader. Each team has to develop a project to help children. Initially, he was going to target needy children in South America. He has been volunteering at local shelters, and has discovered that there are many children right here in the U.S. who are homeless and hungry and it got him fired up. His project will now be for him to walk from Orlando, Florida to Washington DC to draw attention to the plight of the homeless children in our own country. It's over 900 miles and will take him over a month... He will be interviewing homeless children from now until the end of his trip, in homeless shelters from Orlando and in shelters along the way of his walk. He will then talk to the President as the voice of these children. (This will happen because Oprah is involved…with all the publicity that will come of this trip, how could he refuse?) David wants to use the publicity to raise awareness and get help for homeless children. He'll be setting up a website and non profit to keep the ball rolling during and after the walk.

    There's a scholarship award from Oprah....he already has a 4 year scholarship awarded him by the State of Florida... but this will take him further. She also will be awarding money...which he will not keep, but give to help the homeless. He had a chance to go to Europe for 18 days this coming summer with the People to People program, but has decided instead to do this walk. He feels it is more important.

    I'm sooooo proud of him!

    Coffee

  • SnakesInTheTower
    SnakesInTheTower

    coffee_black..

    we need more good news like this. It is good to hear anyone, especially teenagers, doing something for others. Good for him getting scholarships....school is expensive...and it will make a huge difference in his life.

    I hope his walk does bring awareness to this problem. I have often wondered why we worry so much about poverty in other countries when we have it right here in the wealthiest (well, maybe not now) nation in the world. I will keep an eye out for him on the TV...keep us posted...I dont usually watch Ms. O.

    ((hugs to your daughter))

    Snakes ()

  • snowbird
    snowbird

    That is GREAT news!

    Children bring such a freshness and vitality to any organization. It's a joy to see them explore and use their talents without the fear of being exploited.

    Tell David I'm so proud of him, also!

    Sylvia

  • purplesofa
    purplesofa

    thats huge, kudos

    purps

  • insearchoftruth
    insearchoftruth

    Congrats.... this is the sort of news people need to keep posting......there is so much good that is really going on....it just does not get broadcast!!!

    Thank you so very much for sharing!!!

  • caliber
    caliber

    coffee-black,

    Each time someone stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.
    - Robert F. Kennedy

    Sometimes that ripple turns into a wave like your grandson, good for him & immense pride for you !

    Thanks for sharing an upbuilding story of hope !

    Caliber

  • coffee_black
    coffee_black

    Thanks everyone for you comments.... he is truly a special human being.

    Coffee

  • Kinjiro
    Kinjiro

    Very refreshing... There is still hope and not based on a absent landlord they call GOD, Hope is here in the form of David and the rest of outstanding youths like him....

    Thanks for your contribution!!!! Standing ovation to you and him!!!

  • BabaYaga
    BabaYaga

    Wow, he's not just an amazing kid, he's an amazing soul! Congrats to you and yours, Dear Coffee!

    Love,
    Baba

  • coffee_black
    coffee_black

    a few more details....

    Obviously my daughter is concerned for his safety... so we're working on ways to make this experience safe for him. His mentor (he's assigned a mentor by the organization that awarded him his scholarship...meets weekly with him) works for the Governor's office of the State of Florida. He will join David for part of the walk. There will be others to join in as well as this becomes publicized... I also plan to either walk and/or participate....If all goes well, my daughter will follow behind him in her car... He will probably have his dog CJ with him (a yellow lab) CJ will be able to rest in the car when not walking. David is already training for the walk... The walk will start after the school year ends...

    He can't walk the highway, so we will have to map out the route...

    He has tentatively named the project "Helping, Step by Step" He has to have all the details worked out and present his plan on January 1.

    My daughter has taken in a young boy (David's age...and friend) from the neighborhood, whose parents were evicted from their home. they asked my daughter to take him in because they cannot support him. So David has seen this whole issue up close and personal..as well as in his volunteer work in shelters.

    Coffee

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