Take Your Best Shot

For the past couple of weeks I have been reading about causes, passion, doing something bigger than yourself. The two books I have been reading would be terrific reads for you and the young person in your life. (I actually posted information about one of the books on my previous blog about human trafficking.)
Austin Gutwein was a nine year old when he watched “Maggie”, a story about an AIDS orphan in Africa living with her great-grandmother. He was so touched by her story that he wanted to do something, but he didn’t know what to do. After speaking with someone at World Vision, he was encouraged to use his interest and passion to bring hope to orphans in Africa. He started “Hoops for Hope” to raise money for this cause. His first event was held on World Aids Day and he shot over 2,000 hoops (baskets) by himself. The next year, hundreds joined him. You can take part in shooting hoops to raise money for Austin’s organization or maybe you’ve got a different passion. There are many needs around the world. Find your passion, take your best shot and do something bigger than yourself.

His book: Take Your Best Shot.

Some Stats:
Every 14 seconds a child is orphaned by AIDS.
Of the 11 million people in Zambia, 1.2 million are AIDS orphans.
Every 14 seconds another African child becomes an orphan because of AIDS.
There are 15 million AIDS orphans worldwide; 12 million are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day (and month)

I wasn't ready to post this blog yet but decided I needed to, especially after reading someone else's blog on the subject. Think about this: It's been said that the 2011 Super Bowl will be the largest human trafficking event in the history of the U.S. That bothers me--does it bother you? Didn't slavery end back in the 1800's? or even before that? There are more slaves in the world today than there have ever been in history. There are approximately 27 million slaves worldwide. Is there any help? Any hope?
Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor: a form of modern-day slavery.
I've been reading a book about a young abolitionist. No, not Harriet Tubman or William Wilburforce. His name is Zach Hunter and he has become a voice for the voiceless. All around the world, including our own country, people are oppressed and enslaved. Zach Hunter wants to see them set free. At the age of 12 he started "Loose Change to Loosen Chains", a student led effort to raise awareness and funds to free slaves. Since then, he has written 3 books on the subject, encouraging young people to become aware and to discover their passion to change the world. Zach is 17 years old and has spoken in front of thousands of people across the country. He works with International Justice Mission, a human rights agency that secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression. You can learn more on ijm.org.
Zach Hunter's books can be found at your local bookstore:
Be the Change: Your Guide to Freeing Slaves and Changing the World
Generation Change
Lose Your Cool: Discovering A Passion That Changes You and the World

The Starfish Story

Early one morning a boy was walking along a beach. Hundreds of starfish lay stranded on the shore, having been washed onto the sand the night before by a storm. As he walked, the little boy would pick up a starfish at random and throw it back into the sea. An old man came down the beach, walking in the other direction. He asked the little boy what he was doing. "I'm saving starfish," he answered. "Young man, don't waste your time. There's no way that you can make a difference for all these starfish," the man said. The little boy leaned down, picked up one more, and threw it back into the sea. He looked the man in the eye and said, "I made a difference to that one." (adapted from the story by Loren Eiseley)

Who's the one on the beach waiting for you? Who's the starfish in your life that you need to help? You might think that you are just one person in this world. But to one person, you might be the world.