Artists for Peace and Justice is a non-profit organization founded by Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis to support impoverished communities around the world by providing social aid especially to the youth.
Ten months after the disastrous earthquake struck Haiti, the organization opened the Academy for Peace and Justice, a school that provides aid and education to hundreds of children. They had a number of the Haitians in the community involved in the construction of school where many of them had never More
It’s not every day you read about children raising lots of money for charity, but in the case of the then 10-year-old AJ Salmon, from Pekin in the USA, it seemed to come naturally and with the kind of simplistic ease that warrants more than just a second-glance. While most kids are more concerned about spending money than saving it this one went more than a few steps further and made the national news; not only that but he did it by enlisting the help of many around him, in such a way as to cause a frenzy of excitement over what amounts to an impressive achievement for anyone of any age.
it tapped into both the hearts and minds of others while also being realistic enough that it wouldn’t break the bank
With rising heating oil prices regularly taking over from headlines about the kindness of human nature, it’s nice to see that the good is also capable of shining through.
Devising a simple plan that would raise money effectively and quickly, Salmon came up with the concept of asking other kids to donate $1 in exchange for having a non-uniform day at school. The plan not only worked but then went on to go nationwide, amassing more money than was ever expected. It just goes to show that the big ideas don’t always need to come from the adults with the most experience. Sometimes, all it takes is a big-heart and the right idea at precisely the right time.
Of course, motivation is a big part of it, and one thing which motivated Salmon into devising his plan was his friend who had died from Cancer. With his goal to raise money for Cancer awareness, it tapped into both the hearts and minds of others while also being realistic enough that it wouldn’t break the bank.
Of course, it isn’t always that easy to raise money – often the layout for events is expensive to begin with, and the profit generated is only very little. But if Salmon’s idea proves anything it is that something can indeed be made out of nothing.
So, next time you get down on the kids, have a re-think; while many children are a long way off from discovering what giving is all about, that’s not to say that there aren’t more than a few out there with big ideas that are well ahead of the adults!And if Pekin’s recent achievements are any sign of what’s to come from him in the future, it shouldn’t be too long before we start hearing his name again in conjunction with even bigger and better things.
With cuts skimming all over the place up and down the UK it is good to recognise the youth groups and work that is still taking place in many communities. A Birmingham youth group in the Hodge hill area of the city have been raising awareness of kidney failure amongst adolescents and have received enormous support from the Kidney Research UK Charity who have published a detailed report on what the group has been up to on their website.
We live in austere times, so it is gratifying to see youth groups like Compact taking part in projects that will have long term benefits to local and wider communities. The government could take lessons from this – though they may say it is a great example of ‘The Big Society’ in action. That’s another debate entirely. In any case the key challenge that all youth groups are facing are the cuts that are affecting every aspect of society. There are ways to overcome these challenges and one of the best resources youth groups have at their fingertips is the internet.
With the ability to reach their peers and groups beyond, youth clubs, societies and groups are quickly learning how to use the internet to their advantage. YouTube videos, file sharing, blogs and photos are all being used to establish, maintain and push the youth agenda in the UK. This is a generation that is refusing to accept that things are ‘just the way they are’ and go quietly into the night. They realise that having places where young people can gather together are an effective way of keeping young people off the streets and prevent them from turning to crime to alleviate boredom or desperation. Whilst councils are poring over their books for 2011-2012, the youth movement are quietly getting on with making them self heard amongst the budget slash. One intrepid youngster in Birmingham recently used YouTube to rally support for his protest against the council’s cuts of 70% to youth services in the city.
The internet is a great tool, but with the cuts that all youth services are facing it becomes imperative for them to have access to it at the most price effective cost possible. Mobile internet is important as well and is being cited as an essential amongst many groups when questioned over which service they are using. One provider above others is fast growing a reputation for providing exactly the service that young people need; abroadband. It offers roaming internet for very reasonable prices all around the world. Travelling youth groups won’t be hit hard by expensive charges. It doesn’t try to be clever or misleading in its advertising and does what it says on the tin.
In times where youth services are fighting to survive, the internet will most likely become the key weapon for them. Having access to it is an essential they cannot afford to lose.
