MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Changing the world is not something that can be done by just one person, or can it. Many people are putting the needs of others above themselves allowing them to significantly impact the lives of others. The one thing to remember is that one person can make a difference. This website has been designed not only to make people think, but allow each and every individual to know that they can change the world.

helping Hands Making changes for the better in the world that we live in, is not just something that is nice to do, but something that is essential to the very core of our existence as human beings. One thing that is for sure is that no change is too small and no effort wasted in the collaborative effort to make the earth a better place for all individuals and groups worldwide. The problems that affect human beings, do affect us personally as potentially we must identify with the individuals for a purpose of making the world a better place for ourselves and others, but also future generations. Issues like world hunger, peace, human suffering as well as issues having to do with public health issues and disease prevention are for sure issues that affect each and every one of us in one way or another.

Now you may believe that there is not much you can do, however every person can and should make an effort to help out fellow human beings in their plight to be better people and to make the world a better place. These efforts need not be beyond your abilities, but if you hold a talent in a specific field, then you are more likely to help in that area, but there are things that everyone can do to pitch in.

People who hold medical degrees can go to nations in need of medical care and health assistance and volunteer their time. If you are a missionary then you can go to these places and spread hope in the form of spiritual guidance, giving these individuals something to hang onto. But what if you are just an average person. How can you make a difference in the lives of others? The answer is simple. You can donate resources, time or money to organizations involved in helping to improve the world. If you don’t have the means to afford traveling overseas, then consider answering phones for these organizations or taking time to help spread informational resources. Anything that you can do to help, can and will make a difference in the lives of others. You don’t have to be anyone special, just a caring, concerned individual with a heart. That will be enough to make a difference in the world.

And if you wish to do more, than by all means do it. Consider finding out about becoming a foreign missionary. It will take a little bit of work, but if you really want to travel and help people in a hands on sort of way, then this is definitely a great way to make a difference. Or join any organization or group that you feel is making positive changes globally and offer your time, money or other resources. You can make a difference.

GLOBAL INFLUENCE OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE

 

OPERATION SMILE

Kathleen Magee In 1981, a woman named Kathleen Magee worked on a medical mission to the Philippines. She was appalled at the conditions in the hospital and there were many more sick children there than she could have imagined. When they left they had treated 150 children, but had to turn away 250 others. They treated many children with physical deformities and birth defects. She vowed to return, and did fund raisers to take her and her husband who was a plastic surgeon back and they saw another 200 children, but she realized that this still wasn’t enough. So that is when she developed Operation Smile which now treats children in over 21 different countries for medical treatment that they would not otherwise have access to or be able to afford.

$15 CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

$15 can make a difference Eight year old Adam wasn’t thinking about saving the world, he was just waiting on a bench for the rest of his family at an Exhibition, when there was a sign in front of him that said every 3.6 seconds a child dies from a preventable illness, blink, blink, went the sign every 3.6 seconds, and Adam thought that was just too many children. He knew he was only 8 but he was compelled to do something. And then in one of the final rooms of the exhibit was a sign which said “I’m only one person, but I can make a difference.” He looked at this information and decided that he could give. He took a $15 Can Make a Difference card that told him that $15 could:

  • Treat and protect one child from malaria in Africa.
  • Give warm clothing, food and toys to 2 Romanian orphans at Christmas.
  • Send medicines needed to treat 56 disaster victims for a month.
  • Provide chickens for eggs and meat for one family in Oaxaca, Mexico.
  • Support a Bible club for children living in a Mexico garbage dump.

I can do that, Adam decided. I can make a difference.

Adam learned that malaria can kill people. But his $15 could keep a child alive. He could prevent a death. He could stop that light from blinking—at least once. When he finally reached $15, he realized he didn’t want to stop. If $15 would treat one child who had malaria, then $30 could keep two children alive. Adam enlisted the help of his family, who gave him their change too. Every day the amount on the lid of the bank grew: $32.15 . . . $45.87 . . . $66.38 . . . until the jar was full: $101.36.

Adam was so pleased. His jar of change could save the lives of seven children who have malaria. He emptied his jar and sent the money to Medical Teams International, who will use it to save the lives of African children who need treatment for malaria. He's already filling his bank again, knowing the money will save children's lives. In just a few months, Adam has collected $334.65.

Even though I’m only a kid, Adam realized, I can make a difference. 

PEACE PILRGIM

Peace Pilgrim From 1953 to 1981 a silver haired woman Mildred Norman Ryder, calling herself only "Peace Pilgrim" walked more than 25,000 miles on a personal pilgrimage for peace. She gave up all of her worldly possessions and with only the clothes that she had on, she vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace, walking until given shelter and fasting until given food." In the course of her 28 year pilgrimage she touched the hearts, minds, and lives of thousands of individuals all across North America. Her message was both simple and profound. It continues to inspire people all over the world:

"This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good,
and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.".