Can one person make a difference? Sometimes as we look at our world and the state it is in, we can feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problems and wonder can anything you or I do or say make a difference. We can choose to give up in despair. Or we can act.
Let me tell you about a young woman who is trying to make a difference. One day while surfing the internet and trying to find out if chocolate contained any animal products, Lisa May, a young woman from Nowra read about another problem – the situation of slavery on cocoa plantations.
Appalled by what she read, this young woman then contacted World Vision and made up her mind to do her best to raise money to help bring awareness of the plight of children in slavery and doing dangerous work. She recruited help from some of her friends and organized a benefit night appropriately called ‘Raising Hope’ It will be held at the end of this month in Nowra at the Police Community Youth ClubsThis 20 year old, saw a need and set about doing something to help. She could so easily have said,’The problem is too big. What can I do?’ She didn’t.
Over some months, Lisa has been cleaning houses, washing cars, and mowing lawns to cover the cost of staging the benefit night. She has also approached a number of businesses in the hope they will donate items for a silent auction to be held on the benefit night. Some of the local businesses have responded with items like a Dolphin Watch cruise or a gym membership. Lisa has even co-opted her boyfriend, Shane who has volunteered to give five hours community service. The benefit evening will have bands and vocalist and stalls. Lisa hopes many people from the area will respond by supporting the event and taking part in the silent auction.
So, next time you see a problem and think but what can one person do, think about this young woman. She saw a need, she felt concern and then she set about finding a way to help and in the process co-opting others to help. Sometimes it’s just a matter of making people aware of a need. Once they know they are only too happy to help.
All it takes is one person with concern, passion and enthusiasm to make a difference. Will you be that person?
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