HIGH SCHOOL KIDS' HANDWRITTEN LETTERS

U.S. Postal Service

It's not often you get a handwritten letter these days. Blame it on Facebook or the failings of the U.S. Postal Service, but few people take the time to put pen to paper to send personal correspondence anymore. 

We had a big surprise waiting for us at home during our recent stop between trips. While we were away a class of high school students we had never met decided to write us letters. On paper. With pen and pencil. 

It turns out the kids and their thoughtful teacher Mrs. Paula Callender at Pleasant Hill High School (La.) had been following our travels and volunteer activities online for months. One day in class, they decided to write us letters on what they thought about traveling, our trip and giving back (Mrs. Callender later invited us to speak to her class, which we'll write about this week).

We read every letter, most of them a few times. Some were hopeful, some a little goofy (you know who you are!), all of them inspirational and well written. 

Thanks again to Chiquita, Mrs. Callender, and all the students who wrote us. While every letter they sent made us smile, one particular note stood out, the text of which we've included below:

"You inspired me to look beyond Pleasant Hill. You inspired me to be a better me and help others. What you guys are doing is beautiful and selfless. You guys have showed me that the world is a canvas and where ever you go, you can paint your life story. I just want to say thank you for opening my eyes to all the possibilities there are."

--Chiquita Carhee, student, Pleasant Hill High School

SOLE HOPE AND FRIED OKRA

There are so many good things happening in Jinja, Uganda, it can be a little hard to keep up.  

Though we were there only a few short weeks, we were fortunate to meet some inspiring people doing incredible things, from educating kids to improving health to empowering women through job creation. It really changes your view about humanity when you encounter so many organizations helping others.  

Because of their partnership with the founders of Light Gives Heat, whom we had gone to Jinja to visit, we had the good fortune to meet the Collie family--Asher, Dru, Quinn, Asa, and Silas. Former North Carolina residents, the Collies are the heart and soul of the non-profit Sole Hope, which is working to put close-toed shoes on African children to eradicate foot-related diseases. 

They're also one of the coolest families we've ever met. In addition to running a  life-changing nonprofit, they moved to Africa with a three-month old baby, their kids are hilarious and well-behaved, and most importantly, at our second dinner at their house, they cooked us fried okra. In Uganda.

And we LOVE okra.

Over this heavenly, deep-fried dish, we got to hear how a youtube video inspired this family to move to Africa and take on the daunting task of putting shoes on the feet of African children, while teaching others a way to earn a living. Did we mention we think they are awesome?

Somehow we left without one photo, so this is from their
website.Thanks to Sole Hope and the Collies (and Betty, too)!

Thanks again to the Collie family for giving us what we were in dire need of...a home-cooked meal, good conversation, and a brief chance to feel like we were part of a family, if only for a little while. 

You guys knew just what we needed!

To learn more about the incredible work of Sole Hope, check out their website and blog. If you're inspired (how could you not be, really?), there are many great ways to get involved! You can also check them out on Facebook.

A FIGHTING CHANCE

As children, we find inspiration from all sorts of places. From a good teacher, perhaps. Or a sports figure, a friend, or even a president. The luckiest of us are motivated by caring parents and grandparents. 

Some kids, like the Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, didn’t have many positive influences. Working to help his single mom care for six kids, Pacquiao started boxing for money before he could drive. By the time he was 20, he had become a world champion of his sport. His story of street fighter to champion has inspired thousands of kids in his home country, as we found out last week.

At 6:30 am on a Saturday morning, on the docks of the Palawan capital of Puerto Princesa, we watched a group of kids between 8-12 spar with each other in full boxing gear. Supervised by three adults, the boys moved across the concrete stones gracefully, their moves defying their young age.

They didn't fight angrily. They listened to their trainers, who would stop the action to give feedback. The fights also had to be halted to re-adjust the kids’ gloves and headgear, which was often held on by the Filipino equivalent of duct tape. The weathered headgear would slip down over a fighter’s eyes, or a glove, its elastic long ago worn out, would shift out of place.

One of the adults on hand, who spoke broken English, told us he wished he’d had the support the kids have now. “Since Pacquiao, now everyone want to be boxer,” he said, smiling as he motioned toward the kids and fellow trainers. “I wish I had this, had Pacquiao. Maybe I be world champion, too.”

We asked the man if there was anything they needed to help the kids. New equipment, perhaps?

He said, yes, maybe new equipment would be nice. So while volunteering wasn’t a viable option (Kip really didn’t really want a black eye from a ten-yr-old), helping them get some new protective gear from a local store was.

No matter where they are, kids are going to find inspiration, whether it be at home or school, in the streets, or in the boxing ring.

If you’re interested in inspiring a young person, one great place to start is by serving as a mentor. Big Brother Big Sisters, which links kids in need with adult mentors like you and me, is one such organization. The non-profit operates all over the U.S., and it’s always looking for support.

Another way is to simply Google the name of your town and “mentoring.” You might be surprised by what you’ll find. Or who you could inspire.