Blog Post #28: An Updated Announcement

THIS IS A MORE UPDATED VERSION OF BLOG POST 25#: I NEED YOUR HELP

I don’t know how many of you read my earlier post about helping orphans and orphanages in general. As of now, however, our project has changed completely and is actually headed into a new direction.

So, instead of doing a whole pen-pal program, which was unattainable due to confidentiality discrepancies, we have decided to create a series of “Draw My Life” videos. These will essentially summarize the lives of some orphans, as well as some successful people who grew up with the same background. Some examples are David Pelzer, Eleanor Roosevelt, Babe Ruth, and even Steve Jobs.

Eventually, we hope that these videos will stir up awareness in the community, inspire volunteering in these areas, and instill a feeling of family and values of compassion in everyone involved in the process.

If you asked me anytime before, I probably wouldn’t have given it much thought, but now, after doing this research, I’ve come to realize that this problem is actually so simple and so easy to fix.

Although there is a multitude of complications and issues that can arise from being an orphan, i.e. mental illnesses, drug/alcohol abuse, or lack of proper critical thinking and decision-making skills, to actually “nip it in the bud” is quite straightforward.

All is requires is a little bit of time, and a little bit of love.

Volunteering is the easiest way to go. For some places, such as an orphanage in Santa Barbara, CA, any ordinary person, once gone through the background check and other safety processes, can become a case worker. Some heavy responsibility is involved, but helping out children in need is one of the most rewarding things. For other, and most, orphanages, adults can simply be a mentor or there are several tutor opportunities for older teens.

I know I’m repeating myself, but this is an issue that is so easy to fix, yet it plagues a slew of countries. I think the most important thing is to remember that it isn’t just kids whose parents have died that are affected, but also minors whose parents aren’t fit or don’t want them.

As a teenager, it’s so hard to go through life, figuring yourself out and dealing with the difficulties of societal conformities. As an orphan, coping with those obstacles and finding out the people who birthed you don’t want you? With all the abortion controversies, the orphan rate is growing higher and higher. If people think that this can happen easily now, it’s only going to get worse in the future.

I guess the point of this post is also the end goal of our innovation project: to increase the recognition of the issues of orphans and the becoming of orphans. We want those who volunteer to appreciate their lives now and find their grasp on the harsh realities and help those who need it.

What better way to improve the world and make a difference than by giving opportunities to future leaders, anyway?