“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” ~Mother Teresa
The season of giving may be over, but it’s still not too late to give. And the program I’m supporting this year is Room to Read. I love books and can’t imagine a world without them.
Room to Read is great that it encourages school children to read. This program seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.
Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.
One of the books published by Room to Read for Lao school children.
LA Papaya Salad.
“Who Makes the Best Papaya Salad? The animals in the forest take pride in their own — often secret — recipes. But in order to make the most delicious papaya salad, a traditional dish in Laos, the animals need to learn to work together. A product of our writers and illustrators’ workshops, this is the first book written by Miss Manivanh Siphonesay working in collaboration with Mr. Nivong Sengsakoun, an award-winning local artist.”
More children books published in Lao language.
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Children Full of Life is the 2003 documentary directed by Noboru Kaetsu and produced by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK). First broadcast in Canada, CBC’s Passionate Eye.
“Kind, tough, funny.” That is what the students describe their teacher Mr. Toshiro Kanamori. If only we had more teachers like him these days.
The cheerful group of 4th graders in Kanazawa, northwest of Tokyo. Image source.
I’m sure this does not represent the entire educational system of Japan, but it does shine a light on what it means to be an understanding teacher. Mr. Kanamori’s starts off the school year by reminding his students, “we come to school to be happy”. The classroom has become more then just a place to learn math, science, and grammar.. but also a place that teaches compassion and empathy.
You can watch the entire 5 part section on Youtube: Children Full of Life.
“In the award-winning documentary Children Full of Life, a fourth-grade class in a primary school in Kanazawa, northwest of Tokyo, learn lessons about compassion from their homeroom teacher, Toshiro Kanamori. He instructs each to write their true inner feelings in a letter, and read it aloud in front of the class. By sharing their lives, the children begin to realize the importance of caring for their classmates.”
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I’m at that age where most of my friends are having children of their own. Some are even expecting child number two. I can say there are times when I really appreciate my freedom. Just can’t imagine how I can take care of such a tiny little person. Tales of sleepless nights and forever concerns do not sound like fun! The only reason I can think about not being ready to bring life into this world is really the uncertainty of it all. But who said anything is certain, as they always say, “change is the only constant.”
This same topic was also discussed in BusinessWeek. It is titled, “Is Raising Kids a Fool’s Game?” by Karyn McCormack. She writes, “Considering extras like sports equipment, summer camps, private school, Disney vacations, and a full-time nanny, raising a child through age 17 could cost $1 million or more. On top of all that, growth in wages for U.S. workers has been minuscule or stagnant, while inflation has crept higher.”
Photo by Anthropologie.com: Cute children camping out with the Anthropologie bedding collection. They have a lovely assortment of fashion, beddings, and other cool items at their boutique. This picture reminds me of what being a child is all about.
