Impoverished Youth Give to Others with Love - Children International

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Feb. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Love stories abound at this time of year. When you think about children who live in a severely impoverished community – houses with dirt floors, roofs that leak, and makeshift walls and doors – you might first think of other people helping them. That is a demonstration of love. That is not this love story, however. This love story is about those children helping people in their own community who are less fortunate than they are.

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The story begins in the Flor de Bastion neighborhood of Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Participants in Children International's youth leadership group wanted to help others who were less fortunate. They decided to ask for clothing donations from residents of a more fortunate neighborhood and distribute those clothes to residents of a less fortunate neighborhood.  Eighteen-year-old Victor explains: "We requested the donation of clothing by placing posters around the neighborhood, requesting people to bring the clothing they don't need to be donated to others. Sometimes people own things in good conditions that they don't use or they don't need. They don't have to be a wealthy person to help others in their communities with deeper needs."

The families they selected as recipients live in a neighborhood known as La Ladrillera (The Brickworks). Victor continues, "We selected this group of families because they have a difficult economic situation, and their houses are really poor. It is a place with deep needs: infrastructure, water, electricity. We wanted them to be aware that the youth of their community can help others, too. They felt really moved."

One of the beneficiaries, Ms. Isabel Choez, explains, "Youth gave us clothing. It was the perfect idea to help us, who need so many things, and we feel really grateful."

Jennifer, who is 13, summed it up, "We were inspired in helping people with many needs, those who lack the basic resources. These people who helped us with the donations, they wanted to share their love and care for others."

Jim Cook, President of Children International notes, "This is an example of the youth stopping to help others who are less fortunate than they are. That says a lot and is a direct reflection of the success of our youth programs. Children as early as 3 years old become a part of the Children International community. By beginning to work with them at a young age, and providing health care, dental care, clothing and shoes, and a safe place in their community center, the children experience opportunities that they would not otherwise know. That groundwork prepares them for what our youth programs have to offer. Through our youth programs, they learn about financial matters, build self-esteem, and gain tools that poise them for escaping the traps of poverty. The fact that these youth (who were themselves born in poverty) wanted to give back to those who are less fortunate is a credit to them and to the youth programs. I am so proud of them."

Caring enough to help another less fortunate than yourself when those around you might see you as less fortunate – that is a demonstration of love.

For information about Children International's youth programs, read our 2012 Youth Report.

To help a child living in poverty, visit www.children.org.

Established in 1936,

Children International is an award-winning humanitarian organization with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. The organization has been recognized by Forbes magazine and Consumers Digest as a leading charity. Children International's programs benefit approximately 340,000 children and their families in 11 countries around the world, including Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Mexico, the Philippines, the United States and Zambia.

For more information about Children International or to sponsor a child, visit www.children.org.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Christy Howard
Public Relations
Children International
Direct:  (816) 943-3730
Email:  [email protected]

SOURCE Children International