If you would be so kind and afford me a few brief minutes of your valuable time I would like to share with you an incredible experience that has changed my life this year. At the beginning of this year I found a book entitled, “The Words and Inspiration of Mother Teresa: LOVE,” introduced by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I have always been conscious of her selfless character and her truly heroic efforts, but never before have I ever taken the time to actually listen to her powerful words. I can safely say that I have been forever changed because of them. Mother Teresa’s words have made me realize that the best thing that anybody could ever do with their precious time here on Earth is to love. She once said, “Intense love does not measure-it just gives.”
It was those words in particular that truly inspired and motivated me this year to “just give.” As most of you already know I have recently transferred to Montclair State University (MSU), where I am in the midst of actively pursuing an English Education Degree. Upon arrival I had (thankfully) accidentally come across a phenomenal opportunity to put this new ideal of “just giving” into practice. The Center for Non-Violence and Peace Initiatives at MSU is dedicated to broadening students’ global awareness, experience, activism, and education in order to empower them to create change in their local communities and the world. One of their major endeavors every year is to participate in an international service learning project provided by Witness For Peace with a carefully selected group of students, that I am blessed to be a part of. The project is called an ‘Education For Action’ delegation to Nicaragua. It is designed to build upon classroom experience by applying the knowledge and experience gained to a challenging real world environment. One of the many learning objectives is to gain a better perspective of the various systems that keep developing countries (like Nicaragua) from achieving economic and social stability. The mission of this delegation is to not only be made aware of such global issues as: human rights, workers’ rights, health care, environment, and education, but to also share the experience back home in the United States. Our main expectation is to gain the tools, skills, and motivation necessary to help educate our families, friends, schools, churches, communities, U.S. policy makers, and consumers about the experiences we had and the valuable information we learned. Ultimately, the main purpose of the entire delegation is to use our time spent in Nicaragua to influence our activism here (Hence ‘Education For Action’).
It is one thing to hear about all the different struggles and burdens of the people from another country and totally another to actually be there to witness their struggles and burdens first hand. I have been told by previous delegation members that some of those images never leave you; some remain forever as bitter reminders of the pain and suffering in this world that we can help by “just giving.” One huge example of this concept in action is an organization in Nicaragua called Los Quinchos. Their main goal is to rescue drug addicted and sexually abused children and give them a safe haven for rehabilitation. This incredible organization “just gives” a little hope and compassion to these children who never had any before.
I too would like to “just give.” This is my amazing opportunity, but I do need your financial and emotional support. Please help me making my dream into a reality by donating to this ambitious cause. Each of us individually need to raise almost $2000 for the two week delegation. So, please help! Every effort counts and there can never be a donation “too small.” Mother Teresa said it best, “Let us more and more insist on raising funds of love, of kindness, of understanding, of peace. Money will come if we seek first the Kingdom of God - the rest will be given.” I am doing my best to trust in God and raise the funds of love, kindness, understanding, and peace, but I sincerely need your help with the money. Please do not just think of me when you donate, but also consider all of the people you will be potentially helping by “just giving.” I would like to sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for your emotional, spiritual, and financial support! Be blessed and remember, “just give.”
Here are several ways to donate:
1.) Check: Payable to Alice Haight (Write Team Nica 2011 in the memo)
2.) Cash: I promise to only use it for Team Nica!
3.) Paypal: You can use your paypal account to donate as well. Just send your donation to Hoopsstar143@aol.com
To learn more about Team Nicaragua and Witness for Peace please visit the following websites: www.montclair.edu/peace www.montclair.edu/nicaragua08 www.witnessforpeace.org www.teamnica2010.blogspot.com
