Advocacy at Any Age
When you were ten years old, what did you like to do? How did you spend your time? I recently talked to one ten year old named Mason Reaser. She told me she likes to draw, write stories and play piano. Mason is in fifth grade and enjoys school as well.
But what surprised me about Mason was the amazing thing she did at her school for the Merkato community in Ethiopia.
She told me the story. Her dad showed her a video about where her mom visited in Ethiopia on a recent trip with Life in Abundance. Mason learned about the conditions of life in Ethiopia and she wanted to help. Her student government group each month sponsors a charity (usually local) to raise money or supplies for that cause. Mason wrote a letter to her principal about Merkato. She had learned one of the struggles in Merkato is keeping things clean, especially children. Her request to raise money for soap for the children in Merkato was approved!
During one week in January, Mason went to all of the classes in her school of 350 students (Meadowlane Elementary School, kindergarten through 6th grade, in Olathe, Kansas). She told about the need in Merkato and encouraged her classmates to bring in money. Mason said it was challenging because some of the younger kids had never heard of Ethiopia. But by the end of the week, everyone was involved.
Mason was proud to raise $340 for soap to be purchased for the Merkato community in partnership with Life in Abundance. She is testimony to the fact that advocacy can start at any age! Thank you Mason!
To find out some ideas of what you can do to advocate for those living among the impoverished communities in northeast Africa take a look at our get involved page. To learn more about the conditions as well as the work of LIA in the Merkato community, purchase your very own copy of our first ever documentary “This Is My Home”.
What are some creative ideas YOU have to advocate for injustice and serve your brothers and sisters around the world? We would love to hear!
