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Who would have known. Of all the places in the world that she could have gone… who would have known that my good friend and colleague, Paula Schuck would be sent to Colombia. A few months ago she told me in confidence that she was going to work with an international NGO. World Vision is an organization that has been helping families for almost 50 years. I had heard of them and I knew who they were but I didn’t really know what they were doing… what they have been doing. More importantly what they had been doing in the country of my origins.
Who would have known how her trepidation and concern of visiting a developing country would have impacted her so much and me even more. Before her departure, we talked about vaccinations, the food, the weather, culture and customs. I have not been to Colombia in 14 years, some things have changed others have not. I told her what I could, the social norms I am familiar with. The ones my mother had taught me. The ones I had experienced on my visits as a child, and later on as an adult.
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Who would have known that she would only see a sliver of what I have seen in my lifetime. Who would have known that she would get the chance of a life time to go to rural areas of my native land, the land of my parents and family, that many of my relatives had never been too. Who would have known that her journey would be my journey too. My journey differs from hers in that it is an introspective but a journey no less.
Who would have known it would make me cry?
I didn’t know.
My Mom didn’t know.
Her family didn’t know either.
What can you say when you read the raw, first hand stories of people that live in your country of birth? I am sure if you are Canadian and see children in poverty here you would feel a sense of sadness even shame. That is no less what I felt as I heard the stories that Paula told me, as I read her account of what she saw. It is the story as seen through the eyes of a Canadian. Some of the posts are heartbreaking and so very sad but most are uplifting and let you see the impact that World Vision has made. If you can, you should read her series on World vision in Colombia.
I realize as I read her stories of hope, of perseverance, of poverty and struggle, of determination, of courage, of destitution and triumph, each and every story has impacted me just as much if not more because it is a story of a country I know… but it is now obvious to me, that I didn’t know well enough. In her series for World Vision Canada Paula talked about the overwhelming need and outstanding work that this NGO has done in Colombia. With the help of many Canadians that have sponsored children through the years or have sent donations for gifts or projects.
This journey has helped me understand the power that one person can have. The way that I am bring up my children in Canada would be no different than how you would bring up yours in Canada or the US. I expect them to have good grades, I encourage and support their love of organized sports and I teach then how to become good citizens in this developed country. I also try, in my wisdom, to teach them that there are others in this world that do not have the privileges that they hold dear (and sometimes take for granted). It was my eldest, with her trip to Ecuador with Me to We that made me more aware of the plight of children in South America. “They are always so happy” she said. “They have so little, yet they value their uniforms so that they can go to school and learn.” The impact was deep and long lasting. She was there to help build a high school for children in the mountains of Ecuador. This trip taught her that there is a time and a place where one must give back.
As I was drawn into the stories that my friend wrote on her life changing trip to Colombia, I was reminded that it is up to us to make a change in someone else’s lives. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to give back. Giving does not have to be a grand gesture but it does have to be a deliberate one.
Young men and women who were formerly sponsored by Canadian sponsors in Transicion al Desarollo now work for World Vision Colombia’s Bucaramanga program. Here, they proudly display the photos taken when they were first registered in the sponsorship program. Most have attended university with the assistance of WV Colombia’s bursary program; and now are giving back to their communities as young leaders and WV staff. Many of them sponsor Colombian children as a way of giving back and contributing to the development process in their country.
From the World Vision Website
So, I am making a deliberate appeal to my friends and family to consider giving to help one child succeed in an otherwise challenging environment. I have decided to create a World Vision Wishlist that you can visit. This Wishlist has items that I think (with the help of Paula’s blog posts) will help children and their families. I have asked the World Vision people to ensure, that as much as possible, that these gifts be directed to families in Colombia.
I ask you to consider making your own wish list and sharing it with your boss, your co-workers, your family and friends. Make this the year you decided that you want to change someone else’s life. You know you impact your children’s lives… maybe, just maybe, you can impact a child’s life that goes on to become a hard working adult that choses to give back.
I have created my World Vision Wishlist from the Christmas Gift Catalogue and this is what I purchased:
So as you can see – I have put my money where my mouth is… I have made the choice to donate for the good of my family to other families in need.
- For My Sporty Spice Daughter that loves soccer and volleyball – I gift you Three Soccer Balls and More (you can read Paula’s post so see what ‘more’ really means).
- To my husband I will donate medicine to 10 children because this gift has a 9 time value so for my $30 World Vision will actually spend $270 because of donations given by partner companies.
- To my generous son at your request I gift a piglets and chicks because you thought that there was value for money in getting multiples items that provided food. Animals will help many people not just one. You said it seemed the ‘logical’ thing to do and as we all know, you base your life on logical thinking.
- To my eldest daughter that is studying International Development and Globalization in university, you have taught me that the plight of most girls in this world is to get access to education so I gift you supplies for a classroom so that we continue to educate girls. Once again, this is a multiple gift with 7 times the value. So for my $50 partner companies will spend $350 to supply schools. All around more bang for your buck. More girls get a bigger shot at a good life.
See how easy that was? Find a donation that speaks to you and find a way to donate a little or a lot. But know that these gifts will make a change in our lives and more importantly, the lives of children, families and communities (I hope for the most part in Colombia) but I pray, that it helps someone in need.
Please follow World Vision Canada on Twitter and on Facebook to see the wonderful work they do and share this great gift giving option for the holiday season!
You can read ALL of Paula’s heartfelt, inspirational and first-hand stories of her trip to Colombia with World Vision Canada:
Part 1: The Briefing
Part 2: Where Hope Lives
Part 3: What a Soccer Ball Looks Like
Part 4: When I Sponsor a Child with World Vision Canada
Part 5: Two Hands Are Enough
Part 6:The Strength of Women in Morales Duque, Colombia
Disclosure: I am part of the World Vision team of bloggers that want to bring greater awareness to the work that they do. I have been compensated for this post but have chosen to donate to World Vision. All opinions are my own.
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Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.
I know of them and they do a lot of good work
World Vision has a wonderful reputation and track record.
I like things like this thaat give back. I meaan if youre shopping and it can help others I am all for it.
We dont realize I think how blessed most are here i the USA although we also have a hinger and homeless problem. One on 5 are food indecure wile 40 percent of our landfill is organics- makes no sense!
This sounds like such a great organization, I hope more people are aware of the organization and show more support for the cause.
This sounds like a great organization. When I read stories like this, and how much we have in this country, it humbles me.
very interesting
this is awesome
Wish I had asked for these for Christmas. Next year I’ll have to keep this in mind.
omigosh how wonderful!
ooo nice
World Vision is a fantastic organization. This post was very inspirational, it really touched my heart 🙂
That is such a wonderful thing to write. As bloggers, that is what we want to see in this world, people being inspired. I hope you have a great weekend Betsy!
Many years ago I had an “adopted” child through Compassion International. It was a very rewarding experience.
Wow. What a learning experience. I can tell it made you emotional.
“…The power that one person can have ” isn’t it amazing. Thank you for sharing.
I think World Vision is a great organization & my charity of choice
Very inspirations Thank you! I’ve always wanted to travel to Colombia.
I am a big fan of World Vision and their mission. They certainly have my respect and admiration.
This is wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing.
It always makes me so happy to see more organizations that are really helping people. Especially children!
sounds amazing. thanks for showing us!
You are welcome. It is a cause that is very close to my heart. Please share if you feel inclined to help out World Vision.
I wish more people would support organizations like this. It really saddens me when people receive gifts like this and are upset that they didn’t get a gift for themself when so many people don’t have anything. This Christmas, my aunt and uncle had a tree planted for me and it brought a smile to my face even though it was something small
I would love to have a tree planted for me. That is so cool. You can watch how it grows and helps contribute more oxygen to the ecosystem. Yeah for you!
What a wonderful organization. It is nice to hear such news like this.
you are very generous! I love this whole idea on helping everyone. This website needs to be sent out to everyone so we can all help(:
wow this is great
I’ve traveled to Romania 4 times on mission, and have experienced many of these hardships first hand while staying or visiting the various towns and villages. That’s why I donate directly via the pastor that we’ve worked with over there. World Vision is a great org. but I prefer that 100% of my money go to the cause, rather than have a middle man. Thanks for the info though.
Nice post!
A wonderful organisation that does such awesome work!
What a lovely post Margarita! I, too, was very moved by Paula’s trip and everything that she learned. She did get to see and experience something that very few Canadians do. I would have been crying the whole time! Loved all the gifts you bought for your family. I, too, bought things that related to each of my kids. I guess organizing minds thinks alike! Have a lovely week! Angie xo
We have sponsored a child through World Vision for years now and their catalogue has kept a ridiculous amount of teacher’s gifts out of landfill. I know the teachers at our school always enjoy receiving these gifts instead of another mug 🙂
It is so nice to be able to think of this – not everyone is able to do so – and yes, make a difference this christmas – that is really nice.
This post reminds me that we have some much to be grateful for.
Every once in a while we need a good swift kick in the pants to remind us of what we need to be grateful for. Thanks for dropping by Nicole.
Wow that is so awesome that you can pick what you want to give. I might talk to the hubs about doing something like this for the holidays.
Cassie: thanks for dropping by. To be honest, the process is pretty easy and making a donation means so much. When you actually see how they have helped, it becomes real.
This was such a touching post. I will have to check out your Wish List.
Erica: thanks for considering the wishlist. I have to say making one donation even if it is a modest one is always appreciated as you can see. Hope you find something you like.
World Vision is a amazing organization. It is so sad that there are so many people suffering. If we could all help out imagine all the good we could do.
I think Ann that with Paula’s posts, you can see that they actually DO WHAT THEY SAY they are going to do. You see the funds being put to good use. Thanks for dropping by.
When I was teaching Spanish, my students all brought in money, and they enjoyed going through the list of items they could “buy” for families in need (and marveled how much we could buy with our valuable dollars). I love knowing that former sponsored children now work for WV!
I love that you have done this with your students. To see how those children have now grown up to go to university and to give back to their community is amazing. Those are some of the stories that also need to be told. Thanks for dropping by Lindsay.
This sounds like such a great program! And I love that we can replace our frivolous gifts with ones that have true, significant value for people in need.
I have to say, we are blessed and we give within our own community also but to see how far a small contribution will go is great.
I think everyone would feel shame when they see children in poverty. Here in the Philippines, it’s normal for us to see street children turning vendors everywhere. I hope some charity organization would also do the same at least to make their Christmas more meaningful and happier.
It is campaigns like that can bring greater awareness to the problems in developing countries. I hope that there are people that will consider buying something from my wishlist. It would make someone in need very happy.
Wow Margarita, who knew how deeply Paula’s journey would affect so many others? What a lovely post you have shared and I love how your family is giving back. This is a wonderful idea, perfect for those who need nothing, except to share what they have so much of already. Thank you for the reminder.. 🙂
Suzanne, I have to tell you I cried a lot when I read Paula’s posts and also when I wrote this post. It is not an easy thing to do. My parents made a decision 45 years ago to immigrate to Canada and we have been blessed everyday. I hope that some of my family and friends consider the Wishlist gifts. Thanks for dropping by.
Great organization. Love hearing stories like this.
Thanks for reading and commenting. There are plenty more of those stories to come.
World Vision has my respect and admiration. What wonderful work.
Nina, thanks for saying that. It is an organization that helps throughout the world so it is great to see. I hope you had time to peak at the Wishlist…
What an awesome idea! Thank you for introducing me to this awesome company!
What a great organization. I will be sure to check out how to donate, sounds like there is many ways to help.
Bonnie: You are so right, there are so many ways to help. Hope something peaks your interest on the Wishlist.
This sounds like a great organization. I love learning about companies and people that want to help others.
I love writing about NGOs that do great work. You can see other posts that I have written about Me to We, Red Cross and Unicef. All have a way of helping others and it can all be done in small ways.
Thanks for this awesome post. I’ve heard of World Vision, but I didn’t really know what they did.
Dawn: I have to say until Paula’s ‘fact finding’ trip, I had no idea the depth of what they did. It is a whole community initiative. Thanks for dropping by.
They sound like a great organization. Love hearing stories like this.
I have to say, hearing them from a good friend is amazing. She went to areas that many Colombians have not gone to. I hope that this posts motivates some of my readers to donate.
Even when we struggle in this country, we have so much more than others. Thank you for the thinformation!
We are often quick to complain about what we don’t have and if we only knew… I hope through this post and Paula’s posts that it helps someone in need.
I love World Vision and their mission. I like to give my money for farm animals every year.
Yeah… Danielle. I love that you already give back. Now you can see how your donation has impacted a community. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
I think very highly of World Vision – in fact we’ve sponsored a child for the last 10 years. It is very rewarding to watch your child grow and learn. I love the idea of gifting through World Vision.
That is so wonderful to hear Pam. To then see how these children grow up to then go on to university and for some to come back and work within their own community speaks to the success of NGOs like World Vision. So great to know that you sponsor a child.
I love hearing of new organizations that help kids. As a mom of 5 they mean so much.
Being a mom of five I am sure you can appreciate how much it takes to keep that boat a float. I just hope that through these donations, we can help one family get ahead. Thanks for dropping by.
That’s what you call putting your money where your mouth is!! Love this post and I really love how invested you are in giving back to the country of your birth. I also love that you chose gifts for each one of your family members based on what might resonate with them. Soccer balls for Hannah – that’s perfect. As you know my experience was eye opening for me and very emotional too.
Like I said, it was an journey for you but a very important journey for me too. I would love to go where you have gone someday. It has been very emotional for you and I appreciate how you have told the story so well with respect and honestly.
Paula’s journey was an eye opening one. It really shows how we truly take for granted EVERYTHING that we have in our lives. I am discussing with my husband tonight about buying some chickens for a family in need this Christmas.
Randa: I would love it if you seriously considered doing this! I have to say, reading all of Paula’s posts make you have a better sense of what the donations are used for. Amazing work really…