Young Enough to Change the World: Stories of Kids and Teens Who Turned Their Dreams Into Action
Many young people today yearn to make a positive difference in the world–and not just when they're grown up. Presented with an opportunity and support, they have the ability to do that. Alexander the Great, Joan of Arc, Mary Shelley, (author of Frankenstein) and Louis Braille (who created the Braille system), all made a major contribution to society before they were out of their teens.
Although young people are idealistic, they have a sincere desire to help those less fortunate than they are in the world. However, the disheartening message that society sends them is, "Not yet; you're too young to do anything important right now." The 15 stories of young people from around the world described in Young Enough to Change the World are proof that this message is wrong. Each of these kids and teenagers has made a positive difference in the lives of others. Moreover, most of the projects are still going strong.
As you will see, many of the heroes and heroines in this book began with a dream that grew and gained momentum and support in spite of a small beginning. It is remarkable what inspired youngsters and adolescents are capable of accomplishing. The key to their success has been their heartfelt passion and determination.
There are genuine heroes of substance in every society often flying under the radar of media exposure, and not a few of them, as the stories in this book demonstrate, are young people whose commitment to helping others is awe inspiring. Fortunately, that commitment bodes well for the future of humanity.
The young people whose philanthropic work is recorded here certainly possess the qualities of heroes–empathy, self-sacrifice, service, persistence, perseverance and commitment. These young heroes are not content to battle singlehandedly the misfortune and sorrow they see around them. They want an army of courageous young people, as determined as they are, to join them in the work of eliminating human suffering and hardship. They want many others, the young as well as the old, to work with them to make the effort required to bring about a healthier, more peaceful, more equitable world for all of us. Are you ready to join them?
1120333687
Young Enough to Change the World: Stories of Kids and Teens Who Turned Their Dreams Into Action
Many young people today yearn to make a positive difference in the world–and not just when they're grown up. Presented with an opportunity and support, they have the ability to do that. Alexander the Great, Joan of Arc, Mary Shelley, (author of Frankenstein) and Louis Braille (who created the Braille system), all made a major contribution to society before they were out of their teens.
Although young people are idealistic, they have a sincere desire to help those less fortunate than they are in the world. However, the disheartening message that society sends them is, "Not yet; you're too young to do anything important right now." The 15 stories of young people from around the world described in Young Enough to Change the World are proof that this message is wrong. Each of these kids and teenagers has made a positive difference in the lives of others. Moreover, most of the projects are still going strong.
As you will see, many of the heroes and heroines in this book began with a dream that grew and gained momentum and support in spite of a small beginning. It is remarkable what inspired youngsters and adolescents are capable of accomplishing. The key to their success has been their heartfelt passion and determination.
There are genuine heroes of substance in every society often flying under the radar of media exposure, and not a few of them, as the stories in this book demonstrate, are young people whose commitment to helping others is awe inspiring. Fortunately, that commitment bodes well for the future of humanity.
The young people whose philanthropic work is recorded here certainly possess the qualities of heroes–empathy, self-sacrifice, service, persistence, perseverance and commitment. These young heroes are not content to battle singlehandedly the misfortune and sorrow they see around them. They want an army of courageous young people, as determined as they are, to join them in the work of eliminating human suffering and hardship. They want many others, the young as well as the old, to work with them to make the effort required to bring about a healthier, more peaceful, more equitable world for all of us. Are you ready to join them?
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Young Enough to Change the World: Stories of Kids and Teens Who Turned Their Dreams Into Action

Young Enough to Change the World: Stories of Kids and Teens Who Turned Their Dreams Into Action

by Michael Connolly, Brie Goolbis
Young Enough to Change the World: Stories of Kids and Teens Who Turned Their Dreams Into Action

Young Enough to Change the World: Stories of Kids and Teens Who Turned Their Dreams Into Action

by Michael Connolly, Brie Goolbis

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$21.95 
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Overview

Many young people today yearn to make a positive difference in the world–and not just when they're grown up. Presented with an opportunity and support, they have the ability to do that. Alexander the Great, Joan of Arc, Mary Shelley, (author of Frankenstein) and Louis Braille (who created the Braille system), all made a major contribution to society before they were out of their teens.
Although young people are idealistic, they have a sincere desire to help those less fortunate than they are in the world. However, the disheartening message that society sends them is, "Not yet; you're too young to do anything important right now." The 15 stories of young people from around the world described in Young Enough to Change the World are proof that this message is wrong. Each of these kids and teenagers has made a positive difference in the lives of others. Moreover, most of the projects are still going strong.
As you will see, many of the heroes and heroines in this book began with a dream that grew and gained momentum and support in spite of a small beginning. It is remarkable what inspired youngsters and adolescents are capable of accomplishing. The key to their success has been their heartfelt passion and determination.
There are genuine heroes of substance in every society often flying under the radar of media exposure, and not a few of them, as the stories in this book demonstrate, are young people whose commitment to helping others is awe inspiring. Fortunately, that commitment bodes well for the future of humanity.
The young people whose philanthropic work is recorded here certainly possess the qualities of heroes–empathy, self-sacrifice, service, persistence, perseverance and commitment. These young heroes are not content to battle singlehandedly the misfortune and sorrow they see around them. They want an army of courageous young people, as determined as they are, to join them in the work of eliminating human suffering and hardship. They want many others, the young as well as the old, to work with them to make the effort required to bring about a healthier, more peaceful, more equitable world for all of us. Are you ready to join them?

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781935826385
Publisher: Kalindi Press
Publication date: 06/01/2015
Pages: 144
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Michael Connolly worked as a high school, middle school and upper elementary school principal in urban, suburban and rural school districts in the USA before going to work in international schools in Thailand, Costa Rica, the Netherlands and finally Vietnam. Mike is the author of two books: What They Never Told Me in Principals' School and Teaching Kids to Love Learning, Not Just Endure It, both published by Rowman and Littlefield. His articles about education have been and are being published in numerous national and international journals.

Brie Goolbis served for twelve years as a school counselor in the United States before working as a college counselor, an Admissions Director and a Director of Marketing at prestigious international schools in four different countries on three continents. She is currently a volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She also administers the GED to high school dropouts in the state of New Hampshire. Additionally, she has served as a court mediator for families with children experiencing challenges.

Read an Excerpt

Dylan Mahalingam's determination to improve the lives of others was ignited by an off-handed comment from his mother. "We could feed a poor family in another country for a week with the food that you leave on your plate." As a nine year old, he would start a charitable foundation, the Little Millennium Development Goals Foundation (Lil' MDGs) that would help advance the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals–from halving extreme poverty to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS–adopted by the UN in September 2000.
The simple yet powerful idea that Dylan wants other youngsters to accept is this, "No matter what it is, even if it is just a little thing, you can help. Every little bit that every person does can have a giant impact."
Establishing partnerships with other humanitarian organizations is an important component of Lil' MDGs success. Working with non-governmental organization (NGO) partners, the foundation has built a dormitory for a school in Tibet; a computer center, library, and a mobile hospital in India; a playground for AIDS orphans in Uganda; provided Christmas toys for needy children in the United States; donated learning supplies for children in Kenya; and collected over 9000 books for a library serving disadvantaged youth in Washington, D.C.
The Lil' MDGs Foundation believes that it has a crucial role to unlock the power of the Internet to educate, engage, inspire and empower youth in every corner of the world. While children everywhere are concerned about global issues, many do not know how they can help. The passionate members, partners and 33,000 strong volunteer staff are dedicated to offering young people opportunities to get involved.
Although he continues to work for and speak on behalf of Lil' MDGs, Dylan understands that his role as director of the foundation must someday come to an end. He has already prepared his successors to take a more active role in setting the future course of the organization.
From its modest beginning, the Lil' MDGs has grown up to become a powerful force for improving the lives of marginalized people both in the United States and around the world. Since 2004, the foundation has unified the efforts of over three million children in 41 countries to make a tangible difference in the lives of over one million people throughout the world.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Part I The Youngsters

1 P.J.'s Pantry 3

2 Mini's Mission: Burn Rubber to Help Another 10

Part II The Adolescents

3 The Lil' UN Millennium Development Goals 19

4 Free Movement: A Gift From the Heart 29

5 Travelin' Tunes 38

6 The EggsChange Project 46

7 Hannah Has Heart 56

8 Our Village, Our Family 63

9 Disposing of Poverty 72

10 Helping Angels with Broken Wings Fly 82

11 The Social Responsibility Foundation 92

12 An Invitation to Relieve Poverty 100

Part III The Students and their Mentors

Introduction Remember Mentor? 109

13 Children's Wishes for Japan 111

14 A Step Forward for Peace 119

15 The Burrito Boyz 127

Epilogue: They are Truly Heroes 135

Appendix I Key Themes 137

Appendix II What Adults Can Do to Encourage Young People 138

Selected Bibliograpy 143

Acknowledgments 144

Photo Credits 146

About the Authors 148

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