A group of people from the Richmond area arrived back last weekend from visiting Kazakhstan and children they sponsor through Interlink Resources Kid's Connection http://www.interlinkresources.org/projects/child-sponsorship.php .
I have loved hearing about their impressions, thoughts, adventures, and amazement's from their first visit to this majestic country. Seeing the joy first hand that their letters and small gifts make in a child's life. To read more of their adventures go to Interlink Resources blog http://interlinkblog.blogspot.com/ click on April 08.
It is easy to become overwhelmed with the need in Richmond, Virginia, multiply that by a country half way 'round the world or the world as a whole and the impulse is to focus on our own backyard putting the rest out of your mind.
The Star Fish Story
Original Title "The Star Thrower" by: Loren Eisley 1907-1977
I awoke early, as I often did, just before sunrise to walk by the ocean's edge and greet the new day. As I moved through the misty dawn, I focused on a faint, far away motion. I saw a youth, bending and reaching and flailing arms, dancing on the beach, no doubt in celebration of the perfect day soon to begin.
As I approached, I sadly realized that the youth was not dancing to the bay, but rather bending to sift through the debris left by the night's tide, stopping now and then to pick up a starfish and then standing, to heave it back into the sea. I asked the youth the purpose of the effort. "The tide has washed the starfish onto the beach and they cannot return to the sea by themselves," the youth replied. "When the sun rises, they will die, unless I throw them back to the sea."
As the youth explained, I surveyed the vast expanse of beach, stretching in both directions beyond my sight. Starfish littered the shore in numbers beyond calculation. The hopelessness of the youth's plan became clear to me and I countered, "But there are more starfish on this beach than you can ever save before the sun is up. Surely you cannot expect to make a difference."
The youth paused briefly to consider my words, bent to pick up a starfish and threw it as far as possible. Turning to me he simply said, "I made a difference to that one."
I left the boy and went home, deep in thought of what the boy had said. I returned to the beach and spent the rest of the day helping the boy throw starfish in to the sea.
As I approached, I sadly realized that the youth was not dancing to the bay, but rather bending to sift through the debris left by the night's tide, stopping now and then to pick up a starfish and then standing, to heave it back into the sea. I asked the youth the purpose of the effort. "The tide has washed the starfish onto the beach and they cannot return to the sea by themselves," the youth replied. "When the sun rises, they will die, unless I throw them back to the sea."
As the youth explained, I surveyed the vast expanse of beach, stretching in both directions beyond my sight. Starfish littered the shore in numbers beyond calculation. The hopelessness of the youth's plan became clear to me and I countered, "But there are more starfish on this beach than you can ever save before the sun is up. Surely you cannot expect to make a difference."
The youth paused briefly to consider my words, bent to pick up a starfish and threw it as far as possible. Turning to me he simply said, "I made a difference to that one."
I left the boy and went home, deep in thought of what the boy had said. I returned to the beach and spent the rest of the day helping the boy throw starfish in to the sea.
There is something very special in each and every one of us. We have all been gifted with the ability to make a difference. And if we can become aware of that gift,we gain through the strength of our visions the power to shape the future.We must each find our starfish.And if we throw our stars wisely and well, the world will be blessed.
attributed to Loren Eisley
attributed to Loren Eisley
It matters to the one child who receives a letter and picture of someone who cares. Who took the time to write a letter to a child who desperately needs and wants to know that they matter in this world. From the story we can also see how the older man joined the youth, which doubled the effect. Two pair of hands are better than one and working together as a team the possibilities multiply infinitely. Age doesn't matter either...
I can tell you from first hand experience that these children savor every letter and picture sent to them. They will share it with the other children in their rooms and the pages will become worn from reading and re-reading through the years.
These letters and support also help the staff of Interlink build relationships with these children as they regularly go to individual orphanages. Can you begin to imagine the excitement of the children as the team is passing out letter's to them from people half way around the world? Can you imagine the sadness of the children who don't receive letters. I dream of a day each and every child receives a letter.
Part of Interlink Kids Connection program is financially supporting a child and that money goes to help the entire group that child has been placed in and makes a huge difference in their lives. You can choose to write a letter to a child without sponsoring that child financially. By going to Interlink Resources web page you can write a letter to a child (not a specific child) sharing about yourself and asking general questions. Interlink will download this letter, translate it then give it to a child who hasn't been sponsored and doesn't receive letters. You can also send letter to Interlink Resources, Inc state side office and they will deliver them to Kazakhstan with the next delegation. Pictures of your family, pets, neighborhood, stickers, pencils, small items can be sent with your letter. Most times your child will write you back and your heart will break reading their words of gratitude. You will read first hand how you can make a difference in one child's life. And to that child it is very very important.
I hope I've encouraged you to write a letter to one of these precious children. Don't shut the door on possibilities that at first seem uncomfortable or far fetched.
Thank you for your love, support and encouragement as I continue this journey and great adventure to move to Kazakhstan and work with the children full time. I cannot do this alone, but through the efforts of many will it be possible.
May your joy bubble over to all those you meet today.
Victoria
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