Photo CR: richardsrwanda.org
Ever hear about the horrible things going on in other countries to kids your age and wonder what you can do about it? That’s exactly what Jessica Markowitz did when she heard about children in Rwanda who had lost their parents to genocide (deliberate violent crimes) and couldn’t afford to go to school.
Jessica heard about the opportunity through an aid worker who had already set up a school, Richard’s Rwanda IMPUWE (impuwe is the Rwandan word for compassion) for impoverished children. He connected her to 22 girls and Jessica formed a group at school to help. After numerous fundraisers, school drives and lot’s of determination from Jessica and her classmates, Richard’s Rwanda IMPUWE has helped those 22 girls. Jessica has visited the villages several times and spent her summer teaching Rwandan kids English.
Jessica’s hard work has paid off and she was awarded a World of Children Global Changemaker Award (think Nobel Peace Prize for youth!). The charity will be expanded to five more high schools this year as well. Jessica said, “We want to emphasize female contributions in literature and academics to show the girls in Rwanda how powerful they can be.” Jessica proves that girls can do anything they want when they set their mind to it.
To find out how you can help, visit this Richard's Rwanada. Through June 1st, all donations will be matched by a family foundation, which means you will be giving twice the amount. Have $2? Donate it and you’ll actually be giving $4.
-Liz Lebedda
BY CAITLIN R. ON 11/20/2009 7:00:00 AM 8 COMMENTS
Brigitte and her book
Lots of teens sit back and don’t get involved when their peers are getting picked on. But 15-year-old Brigitte Berman decided to make a difference.
Brigitte got to work and penned a book called Dorie Witt’s Guide to Surviving Bullies. GL chatted with Brigitte about why bullying is not OK and how YOU can make a difference.
While Brigitte wasn't so much bullied for her milk money, she def witnessed a lot of kids at her school being mean to each other. This inspired her to make other teens aware.
”I learned that so many people were dealing with bullying but they didn’t know what to do. I’ve always liked writing so [I thought] why not make a book,” Brigitte spills. Brigitte used her site doriewitt.com to gather info about bullying from kids.
“I took all of these stories and everybody’s experiences with bullying and put them together into Dorie Witt,” Brigitte said. “I really wanted to write something that was meaningful.”
Verbal and non-verbal bullying (like shunning girls or leaving people out on purpose) are pretty common.
”I want girls in America to know there is help out there,” she says. “There’s someone who is saying, ‘You know what? Bullies have to stop. This isn’t okay.’”
Dealing with a real-life bully? Brigitte says the first step is to tell them to knock it off. If that doesn’t work, get a group together to confront the meanie. And definitely let an adult know what’s going on.
“If you have a person who clearly does not want to listen, it’s important to talk to your parents and teachers,” she tells us. “Get them involved because they want to help.”
To find out how you can make a difference and help put an end to bullying head over to doriewitt.com. You can learn more about Brigitte, bullying and her very own book!
-Taeler Lottino
BY CAITLIN R. ON 11/6/2009 7:00:00 AM 16 COMMENTS
Cold weather keepin' ya inside?
Sigh. If the weather outside is frightful, keeping your room cozy is a must.
Spruce up your space so it's all warm 'n' toasty before winter sets in.
An adorable fleece blanket is great to snuggle up to in snowy weather. No need to stash it when you're done—just toss it over a chair or fold it at the bottom of your bed to give your room a super comfy feel.
TIP: The warmest colors for rooms are typically reds, oranges, and browns. For a fast fix without painting four walls, throw some colored pillows on your bed for a burst of cozy.
Kick back in bed with some books or homework. This fab bed desk is perf for your laptop or your copy of Jane Eyre. Lounge in your jammies all day but still get your work done.
TIP: While cramming for quizzes and tests in bed is usually a big no-no, studying in bed is OK—as long as you stay focused. Making flashcards and copying some notes are both bed-worthy moves. As a reward relax with a movie under your covers when you're done!
Cozy up a corner or two with some cute candles! Lighting a few around your room adds just the right touch of whimsy and a way-sweet smell. Just remember to blow out the flame when you’re peacin' out of your place!
TIP: Reed diffusers are a great alternative to candles since they're less messy and you don't have to blow 'em out before you leave.
Flip a switch and place a little lamp next to your bed for some extra soft light. Adding some illumination always ups a space's cheer factor. A glitter lava lamp adds sparkle to your space.
TIP: There are two super important places to have light in your room: your desk and your bedside table. Choose a fun, funkier lamp for
a dash of pizzazz while you're solving math problems. An easily reachable lamp right near your sleep space is best for late-night reading.
An area rug is an instant room booster. A shag will style up your space and add some funk to your floor Already have a carpeted room? No prob! Throw one down anyway...a little extra cushion never hurt anyone!
TIP: Don't wanna shell out the big bucks? Ask your fam or friends if they have any extra carpet squares from any recent room redos. Cut into a creative shape—like a heart—to make it even cuter!
-Taeler Lottino
BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/30/2009 1:28:00 PM 85 COMMENTS
Photo CR: sisterhoodbdus.org
We first caught wind of The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDUs (BDUs are army battle uniforms), created by Moranda Hern, 16, and Kaylei Deakin, 16, back in September. The Sisterhood was created to help military daughters like themselves cope with a parent’s deployment.
Lots of military daughters in their teens suffer from depression, eating disorders, cutting and loneliness when a parent leaves. Friends don’t know how to help, so instead of supporting, they ditch, leaving these girls with even lower self-confidence and higher stress levels.
Mordana and Kaylei have the scoop on life with a parent who serves and how YOU can help.
On a mission
“We want to unite, inspire and lead,” Moranda says. The girls are setting up a support network made up of military daughters like themselves. This way, teens going through similar experiences will have access to one another.
What it's like
Having a parent in the military is not like having a parent on a business trip. Kaylei explains that communication is limited and it’s rare to know exactly where her dad is. Does she, or other military daughters, ever get resentful when their 'rents are called abroad? “The military is a community and a lifestyle. And we’re absolutely proud of our parents,” says Kaylei.
How to cope
The military often sponsors outreach events where families can get together and share their experiences. Kaylei learned she wasn’t alone when she went to her first outreach group. “I thought I was the only girl having so much trouble going through it. And, of course I learned that wasn’t true,” she says. The Sisterhood is a unique spinoff of the usual outreach programs since it focuses on teens ages 13 to 18.
Giving back
The Sisterhood doesn't just provide support. It also allows military daughters to serve others. The girls feel that reaching out can actually help ease their own problems. “I want other girls to know how important community service is is, especially when you are hurting,” says Moranda.
Don't have a parent in the military but wanna help?
Got a friend, neighbor or classmate who has a family member in the service? “I think that non-military girls should understand that when you have a friend whose parent deploys, you don’t have to know what to say or what they’re going through," says Moranda. Her advice? "Just be there. Just hang out. Call. Talk or don’t talk, but be there.”
-Liz Lebedda
Here are other ways you can help RIGHT NOW!
CLICK HERE for a 411 on the soliders fighting for us.
Like to crochet but your friends and family already have a wardrobe full of your scarves and blankets? This charity knits and crochets hats to keep our military warm. CLICK HERE to volunteer.
Put together a care package for a marine. This site tells you where to send your package and what kinds of things are good to put in it. One item you wouldn’t expect? Beanie babies! The marines give them to the local children. CLICK HERE to help.
CLICK HERE for another site that'll help you craft and send the ultimate care package.
Donate new pillows to soldiers so they have a comfy place to rest their heads at night. CLICK HERE to find out more.
BLOG IT OUT! What do you do when you're feeling down? Do you think helping others is a way of helping yourself?
If you want more info on Moranda, Kaylei and The Sisterhood of the Traveling BDU’s, check out sisterhoodbdus.org.
Read this first article RIGHT HERE.
BY CAITLIN R. ON 10/23/2009 7:00:00 AM 18 COMMENTS