Compare to many other people, I did not have a hard life. My father was the bread winner and my mom took care of us, six daughters. As my sisters grew older, they started helping my mom around the house and raising the younger sisters. I must admit that I did not have to do any chores other than picking up after myself. My job was to go to school, study, get good grades and be respectful. In a nutshell I had what I needed and most of the things I wanted. Though a couple of my sisters called me “spoiled” I hardly believe in that. Why?

Because I was responsible. My parents never had to tell me to do my homework or to study. I was a hardworking little girl who respected authority and who was raised to be kind to people no matter what they looked like and where they came from. I was never greedy taking advantage of my dad’s willingness to buy things for me nor did I flaunt in front of my friends. Quite the contrary, I helped people starting at a very young age discreetly buying things for others from my allowance. I knew that everyone was not as fortunate as I was. In addition, I started tutoring when I was in high school so that I could earn my own money rather than asking from my dad.

Years passed and I graduated from college. I took pride in what I did as a teacher. Teaching is one of the greatest things one can do in life. If you know something and you have the ability to teach, why not do it? More years passed and I got into leadership world. I realized that it was my calling to lead. No matter how hard I tried, I found myself right back in it and I did not regret it once. It is the ability to make a difference on a larger scale. It is the opportunity to use my abilities and share them with others.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I know that there are many children who do not even get to be children. They are busy being grown ups because that is what they have to do to survive. Life should not be about surviving. It should be about living. It is every child’s right to live and to be happy. To make this happen, we all need to do our part. No matter how much we ear, where we live, how busy we are, how little or big jobs we have… we all can do something. One thing!

I will share with you the things that I would do for the children and their families who are not privileged if I were:

• a dentist/doctor: free check ups for the community every quarter.
• an accountant/bookkeeper: tax filing, financial advise
• an insurance agent: education on benefits
• business expert: meetings/training about how to start up a small business
• stay at home parent: organize fundraising events
• everyone:  Volunteer at a school or an after care program reading stories for children.
• everyone: donate to an organization who directly helps the homeless, unemployed, single parents, or anyone who is going through a hardship. Some of the organizations are:

Martha’s Table

So Others Might Eat

Bright Beginnings 

Coalition for the Homeless, Inc.

United Planning Organization

Be the best you can. Do the best you can. Show empathy and be cognizant of the needs of people around you. Do not allow a location define a child’s future. Care and do what you can so that each child gets a fair shot in life. After all, they are our future and we create the future together.