Here is wh
at I will be doing today:
This pile is my reading.
I'm hoping you all have much more funner things planned for this day 'off'.
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About Harry's post, regarding the poverty of the school his sister teaches in:
Can we initiate a program to 'adopt' a school? We could work with H's sister to get a charter thing in place, and supervise the collection distribution? Would H's sister be open to a little extra work helping set that up on her end? V could organize charity runs - go V. X and Mel could take up clothing collections at their offices? I could do the same at mine, and old toys and such. With the holidays right around the corner, perhaps we can start getting little things that we can send? You know what would be fun? How about stockings. If we start now, we can give each child a stocking, with things like pencils, toothbrushes, candy...we could do boy/girl specific stockings, with hair clips for girls, things like that? Stickers for boys...
Just wondering. Don't know how feasible this idea is, but it would make our holidays more meaningful if we could anonymously made some childrens' a little special. Now that I'm at the age where finding meaning in holidays eats me alive.
Here is another approach. Assuming this school is a small one, (smallish one?), we could work with the administration to find 'sponsors' for each child, on this end? This might be a little more work, and we'd have to do a lot of footwork to develop a plan and sign on 'sponsors'. The sponsors we find would be assigned a child, or more if they are willing. They would be responsible for a book bag/school supplies each year, and maybe some books along the way, and other small gifts which would mean so much to a child who doesn't even have a change of clothes. Some light correspondence, via the school address, to the child, (so as to protect them), would encourage reading, open up a small window to the world around them, and help these kids see that the world is big, and sometimes very nice. Maybe we could take it a step further, and find 'partner' schools here, where the kids could actually help other kids.
Just spinning my brain on this fine quiet wet morning. Let me know if anyone out there is interested in working this out. If we all found 30 people: family, coworkers, neighbors, friends, we might come up with a sponsor for each child? All the people would know on this end would be the child's name and age. Maybe grade, for school applicable stuff.
Maybe H's sister can write up something that we can use. Something where the "names have changed", but the story is true. Since there would be no money involved, maybe more people would help. People are hesitant to give money, because they are not sure how it will be used. But this request will be for more real things, like book bags, notebook paper, books, tissues, crayons, paint, clothes, personal care items such as combs/brushes.
I don't know, maybe this is too much. I tend to go off half cocked a lot. And I have the tiniest problem with just giving anyone things, not because I am selfish and don't like to. I just sometimes wonder at the wisdom of it. Some people end up thinking that thats how we acquire what we want - it's given to us. And they'll never learn how to get what they want using their own talents. But it sounds like these kids may even be lacking the basics, and I'm not sure a helping hand, a little boost, might not be helpful after all. Especially on the reading side of things, to help broaden the boundaries of their world and give them ideas and spark their curiosities...to open a window, and maybe a door.
Just my thoughts.
Peace
1 comment:
We talked about this on the phone last night, but here's the gist for the rest of you.
The school doesn't need any supplies. In fact, they have more high tech and general supplies than my kids' school has. Because it is so poor, the state provides evrything for them-right down to pencils. The parents don't have to buy anything for these kids to go to school except for a backpack (optional) and clothing (also apparently optional). I already sent my sister enough clothing for all 3 kids to get them through the winter except for coats for the boys.
Honestly, I think DHS is the right move, even if it is just to educate grandma and give her access to things she needs for the children. But, at least they will have some clothes in the meantime. The story that I'm getting from Sis isn't quite adding up. Elf told me that African Americans don't get lice, which I didn't know. Plus, grandma looks very poor (no teeth, unkempt clothing) but says she runs a decorating business online at home?????? You mean 'cooking meth?' Grandma is not disabled and looks pretty young to be a grandma. I think we may be in over our heads. It's sad that children suffer across our nation because of poor choices by the adults. Perhaps the adults just don't know any better.
This has all caused a lot of thinking for me...I wanted to blog about it, but it is so big-I just don't have the time to organize the thoughts and write it up. But, I'd love to continue this conversation and the bigger problems. I like the idea of us banding together to make a real difference in people's lives. Especially the children. Go look online at foster care and adoption across our nation. It will surprise you-or it did me. It starts to spur Elf and I to think about the school/farm/orphanage idea some more.
What to do? I guess for now, laundry and make some lunch for Jack. We've played outside and with trains most of the morning. Focus on your own children for now, H.........
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