The ability to take on the world without any doubts could be quite frightening to a child that has never been out of their own neighbor. The threat of gang rivaling due to territorial settings, past lives of loved ones being caught in the cross fire, and just the frightening fact of knowing that something different will be discovered holds many inner city children back from discovering what may change their lives entirely for the better. Not knowing what is on the other side could be even more frightening. The diversity of being amongst people who are different brings about fear that makes one take a look at themselves in the mirror only to find out who they really are, or perhaps, who they really would like to be or be like. Something diverse and new in the mist of chaos, gang banging, gun slanging, and utter ignorance can sometimes double the strength of the veil that hides the world from many disadvantaged youth.
Greenheart Travel is a non-profit organization that extends their hands to the care and need of youth who are in this exact situation. Whether it be a disadvantaged child in need of direction, or a well versed child in need of broadening their horizons by way of traveling to another country to learn a different language, culture, volunteer as a humanitarian, or to see what's really on the other side of the world, Greenheart Travel extends their helping hands to allow the youth to understand the importance of diversity by way of travel. Jessica Burns Student Services Director for the Center for Cultural Interchange which is a division of Greenheart Travel says that in her 8 years as director her experience as a mentor for the youth who discover Greenheart Travel, results are tremendous, due to the travel experience. She adds that "One trip can transform a child into becoming independent, extremely motivated about life, and I find that the child comes back with a confident perspective on life, feeling as if they have the ability to achieve what ever it is that they want in life." This particular reason is why it is important for children to travel in general because there is so much to learn other than the basics that are being taught in their everyday lives and school curriculum . Jessica also adds that her first time traveling was at the age of 15 and having the ability to see something different than what was in her community changed her life.
Although Greenheart Travel extends it's hand to all children of the appropriate travel age, there is an application process that each child must go through and criteria put in place in order to evaluate whether the child is really up for the challenge. For exchange students, which are students that go abroad in order to get an education in another country and stay with a host family, it is important that the child is motivated, eager to learn, has a since of diversity and academically prepare. The child must have studied two years of the first language of the country in which he or she is going to travel in order that they are able to communicate. There is a 6-$9,000 cost for the child to travel for one semester to a year and it is either the parents responsible to meet the needs of the charges for expenses or the child or connected organization is to find a sponsor that would be willing to take on the responsibility of travel and other expenses. The host family is a family that will take on the responsibility of housing the child, providing meals three times a day, and making sure that the child's well being is in order while they are visiting the country.
Jessica invites those children who are in a disadvantaged situation to try an exchange program in Japan, France, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Ireland, Australia, Finland or Sweden which will broaden their horizon's especially if they are academically equipped. Another option is to travel on the voluntary basis to countries like Ghana, Benin, and Kenya which are in Africa to help for one month in an orphanage, as a kind act to humanity. In the year of 2010 there is an opportunity for a group of disadvantaged youth to travel to Costa Rica in order to help on the voluntary basis and there is an application process which entails all who apply to provide information in which a board of directors will choose the best candidate, one who is looking to lend a helping hand to humanity is advised to apply. Juliet Jones who will be apart of the decision making process in which a group of children and a mentor or mentors will be traveling to Costa Rica states that "Allowing the youth to travel the world provides to them an expanded world view." Which is what the youth need to take on the world. However, due to the many challenges that disadvantaged youth face on the daily basis their minds could be draw far away from the advantages of travel, however with organizations like Bon-Chic Productions "The Art of Life" program, which helps the youth to tap into their imaginations, the possibilities of conquering the world in a positive way through the love of travel are endless. And with the help of the community leaders, schools, businesses that care, and youth organization the ability to make a difference is possible. How will you assist, will you help sponsor a disadvantaged child today? Become apart of the change.
For more information about greenheart Travel log on to
http://www.greenhearttravel.org or call 312-944-2544
Greenheart Travel's location is at 712 N. Wells, 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60654-3500
If you would like to help sponsor a child for a trip to Africa or Costa Rica email Talibah Bakhit at bonchicproductions@yahoo.com
http://www.cci-exchange.com/mediacenter.as... Footage Courtesy of GreenHeart Travel
Posted By: Talibah Bakhit
Tuesday, March 9th 2010 at 9:00AM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
