A Life Like Mine: World Living 101

Posted by Leslie | July 7, 2009 | 20 Comments

well-pic My captive children munched on popcorn, and sloppily slurped juice from their thermoses in the backseat of the minivan as we made our way across the George Washington Bridge on our trek south to Virginia. My four-year-old glanced up briefly to cheer the Manhattan skyline (a landmark in the journey) as Bhangra music chimed through the car speakers and a young Indian child chattered on the DVD about going to school in a bus. That is right, not getting to school on a bus like our kids do, but rather school was a bus you got to ride around on for two hrs. Another girl talked about going to school at night, in the dark, by the light of solar lanterns, because as a girl her parents her parents couldn’t make the financial sacrifice to send her in the day. Others told their stories about going to school on a boat or in a mud desert. My mom had checked out this great DVD from her library knowing it would meet with my hearty approval as summer road trip entertainment. My children sat transfixed by the unusual stories of children half a world away.

When I was the age of my eldest son, we lived in Turkey. My dad was doing legal negotiations for the government. While I lived in an embassy-leased apartment, I bought ekmek and visne in my broken Turkish from the street tiny market and went on Saturdays to a village well to fill poly buckets for our drinking water. I shopped for carpets, visited Troy and Ephesus, and admired the treasures of the Ottoman Empire, but I also remember beggars on the foul-smelling streets, riding on a third class train, and our neighbor’s animals arriving via taxi for their annual sacrifice. It was two years of rich immersion in a developing country that profoundly shaped my world view. I followed it with study abroad in the Middle East and medical missions as a professional to Africa and Asia.

I wish my children could experience something similar. I beg my husband for an expatriate jaunt, but jet setting opportunities for mechanical engineers are limited. I want my children to see the world! My dream isn’t really to take them to Paris, or London, my dream is to take them to meet nomadic Bedouins in Morocco or to ride jeepneys in the Philippines, and spend time in a dung hut in the Kenyan countryside. I want to take them to the places that changed me.

Realistically I can’t take them to these places yet, we’re still working to peaceably make it through sacrament meeting. But one day passports in hand, we’ll load onto those fifteen hour flights, and trek off to parts less traveled. Until then, they’re stuck with “World Living 10″1 taught every summer semester by yours truly. We read great books, watch DVDs, take trips through my photo albums, and use it as a great justification to try new foreign restaurants.

My favorite books, A Life Like Mine and Children Just Like Me, paint very honest portraits of how children live around the world. I wanted my boys to see how much of the world has empty plates and pantries. I wanted them to understand most children their can count their clothing or toys on two hands. I want them to understand just how privileged their realm of education, health care, and opportunity are. I want them to feel a sense of responsibility, a sense of accountability, to understand stewardship and to really believe that “where much is given, much is required”. To appreciate what they have and extend the blessings of education and opportunity to others.

We do what we can now; we involve our boys in giving. They help chose various charities to donate to and which entrepreneurs to support with Kiva loans. They help me purchase, pack, and ship supplies off to various organizations. Our conversations and experiences have been powerful. This growing sense of social responsibility in my still very young children fills my heart. I was moved beyond words when my son when ran, off only to return with his tooth fairy money (the only money to his name) determined to donate it.

Truth be told when they are old enough, I want them to toss and turn at night the way I did, pondering the inequity and inequality of it all. I want them to feel that same sick feeling in their stomach the first time they return to an American shopping mall after spending time with families in an indigent village. I want them to wake up realizing that all they have surpasses the wildest dreams and farthest grasp of most of the world. While our summer journey’s may only be through seven states down I-95, I hope their hearts are are beginning to travel far to far more humble corners of the world.

How do you feel about your place in our world? How do you maintain perspective? What has helped open your eyes and your heart to the blessings you have? What are your favorite ways to reach out and make a difference in the world?

Comments

20 Responses to “A Life Like Mine: World Living 101”

Faith.Not.Fear
July 7th, 2009 @ 8:34 am

Our kids have been singing Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” this summer, long before he passed away. My six year old played and replayed it, and sings it with fervor.
I think Michael did amazing things for our world by performing songs like that — with a real message that touches our hearts and motivates us to do good.
It’s easy to get caught up in our own woes, but freeing when we reach out to lift someone else’s burden. If you get a chance, watch Bro & Sis Lundberg’s talk about the tsunami, and what people did to help http://www.byub.org/talks/Talk.aspx?id=1118 — they had put an article on Meridian magazine asking for humanitarian donations, and the response was amazing.
We may not have money, but do we have time? Can we visit an elderly neighbor, or help at a soup kitchen? Can we sell a bit of lemonade, or volunteer at a school? Can we smile?
Thanks for the opportunity to remember all the reminders I’ve been given on the principle: AS WE LIFT, WE ARE STRENGTHENED. I could use some strength right now!
Blue
July 7th, 2009 @ 9:13 am

Wonderful post Leslie. Would you be willing to post links to the resources (DVDs, Books, Audio tapes etc.) that you’ve enjoyed the most with your children? I’d love to engage mine in that kind of activity. We’ve been listening to lots of podcasts with them, exposing them to lots of ideas and thoughts on topics that most kids don’t think about, but i haven’t heard any on this topic and it would be wonderful to have conversations with them on this subject. I’ll have to look and see if there are any TedTalks on this (http://www.ted.com)
thanks! ♥
Jenny
July 7th, 2009 @ 9:41 am

Yes! Do share your resources (and your mom’s good picks). You’re such a conscientious mom… your kids are blessed.
Katie
July 7th, 2009 @ 9:42 am

Thank you for this post. I do not have children yet, but they will be soon on their way and my husband and I have discussed how to teach them about the world. We recently returned from a month long internship in Peru where we saw children playing in mounds of dirt and garbage rather than being at school. So many things that I saw were just heartbreaking. When we returned to Provo we woke up our first morning back looking around our apartment just awestruck at the luxuries we take for granted.
corktree
July 7th, 2009 @ 10:21 am

It’s so hard not to feel guilty living in the US. But I am slowly coming to understand some of the things that we can do with our freedoms and blessings to bless the lives of those that we can only read about. We have our liberty and abundance for very good reasons that influence the course of this world, but I find that I have to constantly remind myself not to take them for granted or believe that they are entitlements. I could have been born anywhere, and it doesn’t make me better in any way that I am American by birth. We certainly have a great responsibility to learn and teach the truths and principles that are so hard to understand in the midst of excess.

My children are still very young, but we are already trying to make sure that they maintain perspective and gratitude for our blessings and privilege to be born here. For FHE we recently painting a very detailed picture of what life is like for many children around the world and talked about ways that we could share what we have. We have come up with a plan to set aside part of their token allowances (matched by us) to be able to donate to an organization that helps foreign children this Christmas. I look forward to getting more involved in attempts like these when my children are older, but I know that this is a good start. We also try to focus on those in need around us so that we do not become callous to suffering in our own backyard. But really, even the poverty stricken in America are (in general) far better off than the destitute of the 3rd world.

It saddens me that I didn’t get to some of the less desirable areas of the world while I had a chance. The furthest I got was Russia, which also isn’t too terrible by comparison. I don’t think my brain could handle the mental sacrifice necessary to visit the dark and dirty corners of the world anymore, but maybe it is a worthy goal to work towards. I am truly grateful for my country and my freedoms, but sometimes I wish life weren’t so easy (hmm, like praying for humility, I should be careful). I just wish there were more ways to truly immerse ourselves and expose our children to other views of earthly life without having to travel so far. But in the meantime, I would also be interested in your resources for good books and other media to educate.
Leslie
July 7th, 2009 @ 11:13 am

Sure- there are some other books also put out by unicef that are in the same series “as a life like mine”. I also love the books Material World and Hungry Planet by Peter Menzel- more coffee table geared for adults books- but excellent content and images, The DVDs we loved was Going to School in India (there are others) and there is a whole series on families called Families in Mexico, families in ghana, etc. There is another one on world religions but I can’t remember the series title. We watch the news, PBS specials, listen to NPR and have very open, honest, child appropriate discussions about things like disease, child labor, etc. We like working with operation smile (as I did many missions with them as a child life specialist), we also did alot this year with operation iraqi children (school supplies),kiva loans are a fam favorite, I love how personal they are, and of course we love LDS philanthropies.
traci
July 7th, 2009 @ 12:03 pm

Beautiful Post! I have not traveled much other that U.S. and Canada. But 2 things have changed my view of being conscious of how others live. One is moving from a small town to the “big city”. We had people without where I lived, even in my school we were aware of it. But it didn’t seem to matter. In the city, it seemed like there was a large line between the “haves” and the “havenots”.
Then I went thru a period of losing much. But the attitude was different, because I started in a different place and knew how to work for a change. I don’t believe others ever think there is a real change – and many are correct.

The other experience is that my mother and I traveled often to the Arctic Circle. Life really is different there, even with the addition of indoor plumbing and internet. We envied them, and they did not do the same. Often we were told that they felt sorry for people below the circle and their unhappy lives. Something to think about, eh?

would love your references also!
Amira
July 7th, 2009 @ 1:36 pm

We’ve lived overseas with our children and also in a variety of cities around the US. While living in the US, my boys have had white American Mormon friends and Muslim Uzbek refugee friends. This year their best friends are from Mexico and Indonesia. We’ve lived in major cities and small towns. They’ve spent a year without a car and are comfortable with public transportation. They’ve learned that a three-mile roundtrip on foot is no big deal. They’ve learned to communicate with friends who don’t speak English. They’ve played with kids who live on the street. They’ve learned that baseball and American football won’t get you too far in the rest of the world.

We couldn’t do this if we didn’t homeschool though. It gives us flexibility (since I’m not interested in my children changing schools every fall) and it lets me make their education global instead of US-centric. Yes, they’re Americans are learning about US history, but I want them to understand their place in the entire world. Or at least to understand all the different ways they can shape their place.

I’m also lucky to have married someone with a global perspective too, or else we’d all be quietly living in Boise. We loved Boise, but it’s not the whole world to us.
Merry Michelle
July 7th, 2009 @ 1:48 pm

I LOVED this! I was also raised internationally (Germany, Portugal, Brazil, Belgium) with a Dad working for the Foreign Service. I would LOVE my kids to be able to have some of the same experiences.

traci-You comments are wonderful. Amen to “losing things” as the gateway to a new perspective.
jenny
July 7th, 2009 @ 2:00 pm

Excellent.
Leslie, you are my new mom-hero.
Faith.Not.Fear
July 7th, 2009 @ 3:15 pm

Greg Mortensen’s “Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace…One School at a Time” opened my eyes, and heart, to the people of Afghanistan. I’ve been able to tell my kids a little bit about what is happening to that area because of it.

Here are the children’s books he’s written on the same topic:
LISTEN TO THE WIND
The Story of Dr. Greg and “Three Cups of Tea.”
By Greg Mortenson and Susan L. Roth. Illustrated by Susan L. Roth

THREE CUPS OF TEA
Young Reader’s Edition (not sure what reading level)
By Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Adapted by Sarah Thomson

This makes me think of the scripture in the Doctrine & Covenants — that we need to learn about countries, nations, etc.. Another reason why!
Luisa Perkins
July 7th, 2009 @ 3:32 pm

How inspiring!

My children have spent several summers doing Heifer’s “Read to Feed” program. They have had a great time getting sponsors and donating the money they have raised in the form of flocks of chickens or hives of bees. It’s a terrific program with a lot of wonderful educational materials.
bekah
July 7th, 2009 @ 4:31 pm

After growing up in New England, living in japan for a year as a child, and serving a mission in Brazil I sometimes worry about the lack of diversity my children experience growing up in Idaho. I definitely worry about the comparative affluence of life in the USA when my children complain about all the material things they want. We try very hard to explain to them how blessed they are, and give them opportunites to share with and serve others, but I think your suggestions of books would help alot. And I want to know what that DVD is called! Dh keeps suggesting that he take a job at the LDS Family Services in Sao Paulo since they need Portuguese speaking therapists and so our children can expand their worldview, but I am honestly afraid to do anything like that until I am sure I’m done having babies. After seeing the Brazilian healthcare system firsthand, I am not sure that I am willing to give up the security I feel delivering in a US hospital.
Elizabeth
July 7th, 2009 @ 4:38 pm

I agree with the post and I do think that a world/cultural awareness is important but you also don’t need to leave the US to find poverty and people who go without. There are a lot of opportunities to serve people in desperate need of help without taking a 15 hour plane ride. Until you are able to take your children to exotic and less traveled places outside the US, you could also consider looking into programs where they can serve the destitute closer to home.
Tamlynn
July 8th, 2009 @ 10:10 am

Great post, Les. You know I am also a fan of kiva.org. My kids love picking out a family or individual to loan to. I grew up in a rural area and I make it a point to visit every year so my children can see the difference. Granted, its not the same as a third world country, but its the best I can do at this time. Just being on the farm for a month helps them with their perspective of life and death, where our food comes from and the hard work needed to get that food on our table.

Other things we have been involved in locally is a shelter for homeless/abused women with infants. Donating clothes, food, yardwork, etc. helps their perspectives of their own wants and needs.

Bekah, I know you and your family will get out and do something exciting and challenging. You are that kind of person!
annie
July 8th, 2009 @ 5:26 pm

Your experience in Turkey sounds wonderful. I would do that with our family in a heartbeat! This is so timely for me. Last night I was clicking through my collection of bookmarked inspiring sites and my husband asked “so should we just sell everything, pack up the family and find some place that needs us?” As much as I want to do that, I know we *are* in a place that needs us, maybe just not in as obvious ways. So, like you and re-inspired by you, I’ll continue to teach our children and contribute to others’ efforts as much as I can.

Thanks for the suggestions!
FoxyJ
July 8th, 2009 @ 9:32 pm

I’m with Elizabeth–the other day we went to Filipino market with my dad because the fish is cheap, and it was definitely another world. It was one of those shopping centers with a fast food restaurant (Filipino) and little shops, and I didn’t recognize most of the food in the place. To be honest, I was a bit uncomfortable but my kids thought it was awesome. We didn’t have to leave Las Vegas in order to realize that other cultures exist all around us. Poverty also exists around us too, and even if you can’t travel internationally with your kids, find out about things like your local food bank or women’s shelter. They can always use your help.
Kellie
July 9th, 2009 @ 12:31 pm

Our three children have only ever lived overseas, spending very little time in the US despite being born there. I love that they get to see the world, live in different cities of the world, and experience the culture of the country we live in. As much as I love those aspects, I want them to develop a deep respect for their heritage, that they are Americans. They are still young, the oldest being 5, but I look forward to when they are older and can really appreciate the opportunity afforded us by DH job. Some countries inplant themselves deeply in our hearts, while others not so much. The more we move, more countries we live in we know home is wherever we are together, as a family.
An additional comment…the constant for our family is the church. Branches in Moscow and Malta, wards in Tokyo. Currently our kids are the only primary kids in a branch of 20 people (on a good Sunday). Considering there are 5 in our family, 2 sets of Elders, and a missionary couple it shows you the extent of our branch, but the church is the same, a constant. I thrive by the constants of life whenever we move.
Leslie
July 9th, 2009 @ 2:44 pm

Thank you all for sharing you comments and experience. There is a lot we can do in our own backyards, with civic organizations, school organizations, and other charitable endeavors. I love living in a small town because all these opportunities feel very approachable. I do still look forward to those world experiences because there is a level of poverty and lack of opportunity/services that i believe you can only find outside the us.
maryleigh
July 26th, 2009 @ 6:32 pm

My oldest son went to Uguanda for a summer mission trip to a war torn region. I wish all my sons could do this before they go to college. The most successful college students are the ones who know the reality of want in the world and, as a result, want that education. What a great post! I don’t think children today truely understand the opportunity an education provides.