“Get an idea of what you want to do, then make a plan and then just do it. Go for it and don’t be afraid to ask other people for help. Make connections. Anybody could do what I’ve done.” Hannah Moreas (raised money to provide heart surgery for four Vietnamese children.)
“You can make a really big difference in how many people are getting fed and getting clothed. Every kid can do it. It might take just a little bit of help in getting started.”Peighton Jones (created PJ’s Pantry which donates food supplies for rescue missions in Topeka, Kansas)
“Anybody, no matter who, can make a difference. Most children know that there are issues around the world; they just don’t know how they can help. My main message to young people is: no matter what, even if it’s just a little, you can help and every little bit that every person of the world does can have a huge impact.” Dylan Mahalingam (founder of LilMDGs, a worldwide organization that has changed the lives of millions of people.) http://lilmdgs.org/
“It is better to help people than to leave them on their own. When people are in danger, they need help and we, as kids, can do something real. I’ve learned that I feel better when I can do something. And this will have a lasting effect on me.” Malka Bobrive (an initiator of Childrens’ Wishes for Japan which provided art & music supplies to help raise the spirits of young victims of the Japanese tsunami.)
“My favorite quote is by Leo Buscalia: “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment or the smallest act of caring. All of which have the potential to turn a life around.” It is my favorite quote and I think all it says is: Do the smallest thing for someone and it will do so much more than you will ever imagine.” Amory Wilcox (one of the original Bookmakers and Dreamers who helped create The Big Book: Pages for Peace which is now touring the world.) http://www.pagesforpeace.org/home.html
“Anyone can make a difference. Find something that you want to do. And then go out and do it.” Timmy “Mini” Tyrell (created Mini’s Mission, a charitable organization devoted to eliminating childhood cancer.) http://www.minismission.com/
“Listen to your heart and do what your heart says you truly want to do.” Kunho Kim (after becoming paralyzed in a skiing accident, he helped start an organization that provides wheelchairs for paralyzed Vietnamese who can’t afford them). https://www.facebook.com/heartsaysfreemove/info?tab=page_info
“Dream big and don’t be afraid to have really big dreams. Be creative and think of something that seems impossible that you would like to achieve. But after having that dream, you have to be willing to put in hard work. Draft out all the possibilities and then draft your long term and short-term goals. And I don’t think I could have accomplished anything without the support of my family and friends.” Jin Jin Xu (founder of the Eggschange Project, a micro-finance project that helps rural farmers in China establish their own businesses.) http://eggschange.weebly.com/
“Believe in yourself. You can’t say it simpler than that. And once you believe in yourself, you have to put your ideas on paper. You need to make them happen. It might be hard; you might think that it’s difficult to help people, to make a difference. But once you get the ball rolling, it’s not difficult if you have passion. Act with your heart and let your passion lead you to helping others and to do what you want to do to make a difference.” Kelly Perry ( initiated a program to get breast cancer screenings for women in a rural village in Thailand.)
“I have visited those who I have personally helped in rural Laishu, Dingxi, Yanchi and Ningxia and witnessed their impressive accomplishments. When I saw the smiles on the faces of rural Chinese villagers, I knew that I, a mere teenager, was able to make a difference in this world. No effort in this direction is too small, and united, we adolescents will be able to shout loudly with our actions. The responsibility to better this world beyond the self is ours.” Robert Li (created an NGO that aims to instill a sense of civic engagement and social responsibility in youths by publicizing the idea of alleviating poverty in rural China through microfinance.) http://www.srfchina.org/
“This activity (feeding homeless people) has really opened my eyes to the world. Before, I was just focused on ESPN and school. Now, I want to help change the world, not just make money.” Justin McDonald (one of the original Burrito Boyz working to feed the homeless in San Diego.) http://www.burritoboyz.org/
“I think that getting involved in community service is just a decent thing to do. Also it is such a good outlet for connecting with people from different backgrounds. Building these relationships helps uncover one of the fundamental truths of humanity: that we aren’t all that different. If everyone understood this, I think the world would be a different place.” Priscilla Acuna Mena (a young woman working to inspire others to relieve poverty worldwide)
“I think that disabled people are angels with broken wings. They cannot fly and chase their dreams the way that other people do. What we are trying to do is to give them wings so that they can chase their dreams like other people do. We started a project to help them achieve financial independence.” Daniel Huang (established the Help Angels with Broken Wings Fly project that helps disabled people in China)
“More and more we (young people) notice that the systems that are in place are not the kind of systems that we need because they don’t necessarily work. We are seeing that so many people get left out and so many more get run over by the world we’ve created. My advice to young people is be creative, really give yourself a shot, see yourself as someone who is fortunate and capable of bringing about change.” Cecilia Martinez Miranda (works to eliminate poverty in the Philippines)
“My advice to young people is: take a risk. Honestly, taking a risk is what gets a lot of people fired up to do what they believe in. If I set my mind to do something, it is going to happen. I don’t know how it is going to happen, but I’ll make it happen. Persistence, determination and passion are the three things you really need to do anything in life.” Samantha Fernandez (organized a bedside music program at Miami Children’s Hospital for children suffering serious illnesses).