8. Blog Action Day 08: Poverty & A Revelation

Because I’m inherently paranoid, I try not to reveal my real age on the internet. However, I’m happy to break that rule for today’s cause because I believe it’ll enhance the purpose of this blog.
I am, in fact, fourteen years old.
Go ahead, take a moment to absorb this startling piece of information.

For any readers who just shrugged their shoulders and dismissed my declaration as nothing spectacular, I apologise. But the genereal response to this admission is usually disbelief. Readers often imagine someone far older pretending to be a teenager, as literate adolescents are apparently unheard of. On the other hand, if they do believe me, they often imagine a young child sitting by the computer with a thesaurus, desperately trying to make themselves sound intelligent.
This is a ridiculous assumption.
I don’t own a thesaurus.

In all seriousness, though, I am fourteen and I wanted to stress the fact that anyone can make a difference and help fight poverty, regardless of age.

One of the most obvious ways to do this is to ‘adopt’ a child through one of the many reputable organisations that offer the opportunity. A very conscientious friend of mine (also fourteen, for the record) decided to sponsor a child in Cambodia, but couldn’t afford it on her own. She rallied 20 friends, myself included, and we each chip in a small amount each month to make what I believe is a big difference, at least for one child. 

Students at our school were also given the chance to participate in the 40 hour famine; one of Australia’s largest youth fundraising events (For details, visit http://www.worldvision.com.au).  I went door to door in my neighbourhood, collecting money for the cause. Granted, I had a large number of doors slammed in my face, but it was fully worth it as I ultimately managed to raise over two hundred dollars for the project.

Of course, instead of just cash, it’s important to send other things too. It shouldn’t be difficult for anyone to gather clothes and meals and donate them to a local charity.

The list goes on.

So if, by chance, I have any young readers, I’d like to make it clear that when it comes to fighting for a good cause, age should never be a limitation.

In writing this blog, I have no huge expectations, but I think it’s brilliant that people are making a global effort to raise awareness of a worthy cause. I joined blog action day simply because I try to take advantage of every opportunity I have to make a real difference, however small it may be.