Changing the World one Notebook at a Time

Some things are always present in the world, you hear about them on the radio and see them on the T.V., but you believe there is not much you can do about it, so you try to erase it from your mind as much as possible. Poverty is one of those things. It was not until I was driving through Arusha did I realize the extreme conditions that some Tanzanians live in. Even then, I did not learn the severity of them until talking to a boy named Innocent at L.O.A.M.O. school. Innocent is a very bright student in class four. He is one of the hardest workers and always pays attention. I never thought he could be a child who may only have one meal a day, but I soon found out that he was. I was walking around the classroom Friday morning helping kids with their work when Innocent called me over. It took a couple of minutes to figure out what he was trying to tell me, but when I finally understood, I was shocked. Innocent had won a notebook the previous day as a prize for good behavior. He told me that he showed the notebook to his mom and she somehow traded it for food. Because of that one notebook, Innocent and his family were able to eat dinner that night. I don't remember if I said anything after that I just know that I felt an immediate rush of sadness. I didn't understand how I could be so lucky and never have to worry about food a day in my life. Whereas Innocent who is just as capable as I am, lives in extreme poverty and may never get out of it. That thought hit me so hard. I broke down into tears after that and had to excuse myself from the room. My mind was completely blank in those few moments I could hardly comprehend anything. I didn't know what to feel or think or do. I had never had so many emotions running through my head at once. When I could finally put together what had just happened I realized that I should not be crying at all. I should be incredibly happy that I helped his family get food. Even if it was only a little, that is one less night of being hungry. I realized then that I am doing exactly what I came here to do. I am putting all my efforts into helping these children and am hopefully changing their lives in the process. There will always be poverty in the world and people who are less fortunate than I am. I will be saddened by it and that will never go away. However, now I know that I can do something about it, I can give a child a notebook or I can help them solve a math problem. My capabilities are limitless and I will never stop helping and caring about these children. I am changing the world one notebook at a time. "Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi