Helping Others in Need

Hi,
This week I want to share some books that are about helping and sharing with others around the world. Since the earthquake in Haiti last week, I am sure you have been discussing this with your students. Here are some stories you may enjoy.

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina – This is the story of a dog and a cat who were left behind during the evacuation in Katrina. The two animals stayed together and helped each other and finally were cared for by a rescue team. At that time it was learned that the cat was actually blind and had been helped by the dog.

Wangari’s Trees of Peace – Wangari lived in Kenya as a small child and loved her country. She left to complete her education and when she returned found the trees being cut down for industry, but no one was replanting. She started a replanting program under great opposition from others, but was not discouraged. She enlisted the local women and paid them to plant trees.

Beatrice’s Goat – Beatrice and her family receive a goat from an organization (like ADRA) and are able to improve their lifestyle. Because of the goat, they are able to afford a uniform for Beatrice so she can attend school. This is a good one to read then discuss the different options that ADRA offers so families in similar situations can help themselves.

Boxes for Katje – During the war a package comes for Katje from America. The whole village is excited about this and Katje shares some of the items in the package with the neighbors. Katje sends a thank you letter to her new friend and boxes continue to come to help not just Katje and her family, but the whole village.

If the World Were a Village – This is not a story, but a way to help people understand the make-up of the world. One example is that if the world were a village of 100 people, 61 are from Asia, 13 are from Africa, 12 are from Europe, 8 are from South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, 5 are from Canada and the United States, and 1 is from Oceania. This is a fascinating book.

Ryan and Jimmy and the Well in Africa – What difference can one small child make in the world? An enormous difference. When in first grade, Ryan learned of the scarcity of water in Africa and how desperately wells were needed. He decided to buy a well. His parents told him that he needed to earn the money for it himself and he began. It took a year or two, but finally he had enough. Or so he thought. He really only had enough to purchase the pump, so he went back to his fundraising and spoke at business, clubs, and schools and collected $25,000 and more to dig the well. One boy in the African school named Jimmy became pen pals with Ryan and later when Ryan had the opportunity to visit, he and Jimmy became fast friends. It is very inspiring to read about what a young person can do when they are motivated.

I hope you enjoy these books as much as I do.

Have a great weekend.
Audrey