The Road to Hope

The Road to Hope The story and thoughts behind one photo

Jacques is nine and lives in Haiti.  His mother was twelve when he was born and just a few years later her husband died.  She now lives with a man, ‘old enough to be my father’.  She has three children, lives in poverty and is in no position to care for Jacques.  But Jacques was noticed by someone who cared enough to go meet with his mother and offer help.  He goes home to sleep with his mother and she is glad for the help.  Jacques now has clean clothes, somewhere to play and is receiving an education.  He has a long way to go and needs financial support, but surely these are the things that every child should have.  The UN has a list of child rights... each child should have an adequate standard of living, a right to healthcare, education and a right to play. 

I once met an eleven year old child in Colombia who spoke about her rights.  Her right to an education, she said, was something she had to take responsibility for.  It was up to her to take hold of her rights and so she sought out the smartest person in her community to make her claim.

And in Africa the classrooms are full, sixty kids sitting behind desks – tightly packed and silent as they listen with intent.  Somehow they know how important it is to claim their rights.  Without an education the future is clear.  Lack of education leads the road to poverty but choosing to learn leads to hope.             

© Photo copyright Jim Loring.  No reproduction without permission.

This blog is a response to the needs I see.  My plan is to find grassroots projects that are addressing both the root causes and immediate needs of those living in extreme poverty.  I will pass on 100% of any gift given to help.

Checks should be made payable to ‘Community Partnership of Rabun’, marked ‘MyWorld/Haiti’ and sent to Community Partnership/MyWorld, 196 Ridgecrest Circle, Clayton, GA 30525, USA 

Thanks!   

© Photo copyright Jim Loring.  No reproduction without permission.