One person can make a difference!

Kendall's first gift was aimed at helping ONE hurting child in Zambia. But before long, that one gift started lots of people thinking about what they could do. Before you know it, kids (and adults) all over the place started getting involved.

There are children all over Africa who have lost their mom, dad and home--all the things that make kids feel safe. Together, we can do some exraordinary things to help.

• Your age doesn't matter
• How much money you have doesn't matter
• It doesn't matter how big or famous or powerful you are
• You don't even have to be healthy or strong!

Big change can happen a little at a time

Pennies add up to nickels ... that add up to dimes ... that add up to dollars! One school that had a Penny War was able to collect over $1300 in just a few weeks. And guess what? It all started when the first penny was dropped into the jar! It doesn't take a lot to get things rolling.

When students of all ages work together, we can do some pretty amazing things for kids in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia and other parts of Africa whose live have been hyjacked as their parents have been victims of AIDS. We can provide these needy kids with basics like shelter. Food. School supplies. Clean water. Mosquito bed nets. A chance to learn a skill like sewing, a craft, or mechanics so they can grow up and make a living rather than live in povety.

Things you can do right now to make a difference

Learn about what's happening in your own community and in other parts of the world. If Kendall had never watched that first TV report about AIDS orphans in Africa, she might never have learned of their great need. Her passion was to help these kids ... but you may be inspired to meet another need!

Be generous. Sometimes we want to keep things for ourselves, but giving what we have--including our ideas and our time--can help people around us and make us feel really good, too!

Be creative and do what only YOU can do! Kendall came up with the idea of jewelry for DOGS for her first fund raiser as a 5th grader to raise money to help one community in Africa. What ideas do you have? Look around and think about what special gifts and abilities you have (and what groups you are a part of) that can be empowered to make a difference.

Be an example to your friends. When you start being someone who genuinely cares and gives of your time and resources, people around you will see how much fun and rewarding it is, and they'll probably want to join in!