Save the Children

Our philanthropist-in-training.

This past week AJP’s class began collecting coins to donate to Save the Children. This effort was part of a school-wide program where parents and students could donate money through the school to other children in Haiti. AJP came home on Monday and announced the project. He told me that Ms. K had a 10 Liter bottle for them to fill with coins. If they filled it, they would get an extra recess. AJP was so excited at the prospect of an extra recess that, upon arriving at home, he quickly went into his room and grabbed a handful of change from his change box. (He has been collecting this change since we arrived in Brazil in hopes of buying himself something.) When he showed me what he wanted to donate, I asked him if he thought it was enough. He looked at me with an embarrassed sort of face and then ran to get one more handful. He returned still a bit hesitant. I suppose he knew what was coming. We sat down and talked about the earthquake and about the children that don’t have food to eat, don’t have water to drink or a school to study in. We talked about generosity. We talked about the incredible blessings that we have and how God expects us to be generous with others. We talked about the scripture “where much is given much is required.” I do say that “we” talked but I guess a more accurate description would be that I talked, he listened and then he gave commentary so that I could make sure he understood. I told AJP that I thought he should give all of the coins he had saved. He was absolutely against the idea. We decided that he should think about it. When JTP arrived home, I spoke with him and he immediately thought the same thing I had – AJP should donate all of the money he had saved. After talking with AJP throughout the night, he finally decided to donate all of his change. We also made a plan that he would send an email to all of JTP’s co-workers and ask them to donate their change as well. Tuesday morning AJP went to school with almost 70 Brazilian Reais In change (about 40 USD). AJP’s teacher told me that his class cheered when he dumped the change into the bottle. On Wednesday and Thursday combined, thanks to the generosity of JTP’s co-workers, AJP delivered another 70 Brazilian Reais. I am not sure if this opportunity will make that big of a difference in his life. I don’t even know if he will remember it. However, I do know that if, as parents, we do not take each opportunities to teach our children this principle they will never learn it. We also never know which opportunity will finally hit them and they will internalize the principle. I do pray that one day AJP and BLP will give generously not because they have to but because they want to.