Voices of the Children
Sometimes, when parents tout the attributes of their children, it is often not taken too seriously, as parents can not be objective when it comes to describing their own children. However, I feel compelled to write to you about my daughter, Erin, and will try to clearly state, without too much bias, why I am nominating her for the Message of Compassion nomination program.
Erin is 16 years old, and will be a junior in high school this fall. Throughout her life, her father and I have encouraged her to be active in her community by donating used toys and clothes to thrift stores and charitable organizations, and to participate in groups such as Girl Scouts and 4-H. Those groups help young people realize that there is a greater world out there, beyond McCall, Idaho, and that each person is obligated to help the world become a better place. I believe Erin learned some valuable lessons from her association with those youth groups. As she has gotten older, her peers have recognized that she is a trustworthy, caring person. She was nominated in 9 th grade to become a “Natural Helper” at her high school. She is seen by her classmates as someone that they can talk to about their troubles, fears, and disappointments. She keeps her confidence and is a loyal friend.
Even though I knew Erin was a caring person, I was surprised when Erin took the step last year to sponsor a child through Compassion International, a Christian group dedicated to relieving childhood poverty worldwide. Erin was 15 years old when she made the decision to agree to sponsor a five year old girl in Tanzania. Erin has committed to sponsoring that child for the next 13 years, until the child turns 18. Erin has a part-time job, and contributes $32 each month toward her sponsorship. While some teenagers would choose to spend $32 a month on music CDs or makeup or clothes, Erin chooses to send it to a little girl in Africa.
From her interest in her sponsored child, Erin broadened her knowledge of some of the issues facing Africa as a while. Along with her twin sister, Erin started a local campaign to heighten awareness of the situation in Darfur in Sudan. Erin visited local businesses and urged them to display a poster regarding the genocide in Darfur. Again, Erinrealizes that while there are domestic issues that need our attention, there are greater problems worldwide. She shows a caring for humankind that goes beyond our country’s borders.
Erin’s compassion for those less fortunate has extended to the animal world. She became politically active this year, and wrote all of Idaho’s Congressional delegation, urging them to restrict oil drilling in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. She received replies from our members of Congress, but was not satisfied, and kept writing them. While Erin was not successful in changing their votes on the energy bill, I imagine that our senators and representatives may not forget the words of this Idaho girl.
Erin has demonstrated compassion for others than seems to belie her young age. I am confident, however, that the path toward world change she has started on will continue, and I look forward to watching her make a difference in our world.