Chapter One

     I believe Craig's story was written very realistically to give the impression that,"Everyone is capable of anything". I felt connected to his everyday school life and was drawn to his passionate and disturbing thoughts about child slavery. I was surprised he took the next step and shared his emotions to his class that morning. At first, I didn't believe that the peers in Craig's class volunteered to stand beside him, even though the "next step" was not yet established. Although I was pleasantly surprised about the number of students that offered to stand behind him, I would have done the same thing. You need to take that leap of faith sometimes! I think it's a great idea that so many people support charities and organizations to help struggling children. But, I believe it takes real activists like Craig to show true courage at such a young age and believe that changing the world is possible! How inspiring!! I think everyone could use Craig as a role model and benefit from following his story. 

     When I was 10 years old, I decided instead of asking for presents on my birthday, I would ask for money. I didn't want my friends to buy me presents. I wanted to donate the money to an orphanage in Peru. I had watched a slide show the previous week at church and saw these children struggle to find food and shelter. Although 100 dollars wasn't a pile of money, I felt I did the right thing. I didn't mind not receiving presents that year... it made me happy to know I was giving some innocent children a gift. A few months later, I got a note in the mail thanking me for the money. I also was sent a picture of the children at the orphanage (SOO CUTE!!). Some day I hope to travel to Peru and personally meet children that can't afford food or very much of anything. They seemed so thankful for so little. I believe an experience such as that, has changed me. I'm looking at the Christmas shoe box pamphlet and can't wait to pack a few boxes with my sister. It makes life meaningful.