Boys play with a wooden gun used in re-enactment dramas, which can be part of rehabilitation therapy sessions. Many are familiar with how to handle the weapon. – Photographs from World Vision’s Children of War Rehabilitation Center in Gulu: daily life under World Vision’s care and reunions with their families; portraits to accompany Nigel Marsh interviews.
This is a Guest Post by my Daughter Payton Schuck, she’s in grade nine this year and has been involved with helping us choose which World Vision Canada gift catalogue holiday gifts that we give as a family. This family tradition started last year. In grade seven Payton did a project about child soldiers. Today for Take Your Child To Work Day she is working with me, learning about social media consulting, using social media for social good and she decided to write a guest post about which of the gifts speak to her heart in the World Vision Canada gift catalogue….these are her words.
By Payton Schuck
War. A word we all hear, but most of us have never experienced. We see children playing soldiers, but what about the ones who live that nightmare? Big guns in little hands killing. Because they have to. Because sometimes kids are stolen from families. Because they thought this would help their family. Because they want to make their parents proud. Because they want to be a hero. Now they are the victim.
But there is hope. You can be the hero. You can help restore a broken child soldier for $75. That’s a very small price for a big change.
Today, I am using my own savings to restore a child soldier with World Vision Canada’s help. because I want them to know that they are loved and that there are people out there who won’t hurt them and want to help them. This is the holiday gift I choose this year with my family.
If you want to help give back this year, you can also choose something from the World Vision gift catalogue. This is my recommendation. Imagine if you were in their position. Imagine the things they have seen. This is a chance to make a difference. Children as young as eight are stolen and forced to become soldiers. That shouldn’t happen, ever.
There are a lot of options that are easy to save money for. There’s something more to giving when you give a gift like this. Rather than just giving another video game or present you can give something that matters to someone else. These holiday gifts change lives and make a huge impact on children and communities around the world.
This year I am choosing to use some of my babysitting money to help child soldiers.
Follow World Vision Canada on Twitter.
Huge thanks to my daughter for writing this. I think she did a great job and she made me cry because I thought we were choosing a gift of a piglet or roosters together and she came up with this instead.
I think this is a great cause. I love companies that give back like this.
What a wonderful program to be involved in, and knowing the importance of it as such a young age is just SO awesome to see!
I love this! Gifts that give back in some way are so much more meaningful and thoughtful.
Love that your child is involved. Love that you are teaching her appreciation and the love of giving back.
Thanks Aimee. It’s one of those days where I realized she is actually listening to what I say and do. 😉
What an absolutely amazing thing for your daughter to be doing and a great thing for those who receive. x
Thanks Sarah!
Our kids have so much “stuff” this days, i love the option of giving a gift that goes far beyond just sitting on a shelf. We have had birthday parties for our boys where we have asked for donation to our local NICU and the food bank instead of gifts.
I agree Kate! Blogger’s kids seem to get even more than the average amount of stuff so that’s a huge amount of toys and games. There’s a point where it is enough and giving back needs to be just as important as receiving.
That is very cool of her. I’m sure you’re very proud- it’s a great reminder too, of what is most important and of the importance of looking outside of ourselves!
What a meaningful way to spend money this holiday season! What a great organization to support.
Your daughter is a smart girl with a huge heart! I love this campaign and fully support Worldvision.
Thanks Dawn! I think so too. It does feel good to give back and I am glad she understands that.
Payton, you are absolutely right: no child should have to become a soldier. EVER! I’m so proud of you for taking some of your hard earned money to give to others. That is a true act of benevolence.
This is what the season is all about…giving to those that need!
Fantastic job Payton! Wonderful post.
Nice job by your daughter. This is the season of giving1
This sounds like a wonderful program. I like to support companies that give back. You are doing a fantastic job Payton.
that was beautiful, she has a wonderful helping spirit about her and wise beyond her years!
I love the idea of a holiday gift that makes a difference. I think this is what I am going to ask for, as a present for myself this year, because there is nothing I need or want that comes in a box, and I love the idea of helping to effect change. (Also, fantastic work Payton, very well written!)
What a great cause! I try to support as many companies that give back as I can because although I can’t give back as much as I’d like, bigger companies can and should! This is great.
This is such a great cause. I love gifts that give back. Your Daughter is one smart cookie.
This is such a great and amazing cause. I am glad that proceed from the sales will help the child soldiers. You should also be proud of your daughter who is so caring of other’s plight.
Such a wonderful way to help. These children deserve to know that someone cares.
This is almost like the gift that gifts back and I love that you’re doing this with your daughter. At age 9 that is truly great of her.