1/31/11—-Lose five pounds, get good grades, and make some money. Sound familiar? Teen Advise reports that these are the top New Year’s resolutions we set for ourselves, come every January. Though these goals are legitimate in terms of self-fulfillment and self advancement, perhaps it is time we look towards others, rather than ourselves.
Sam Han Schneider, founder of the Hans-Schneider International Children’s Foundation (HSCIF) is an exemplary model, as his goal is to work on behalf of the world’s most vulnerable and destitute young people. Han has dedicated many years of his life to ameliorating the conditions of the displaced orphans around the world; through his efforts, he has brought hope, love, and life to thousands.
His resolutions for this year are ambitious and bold. First, he’s pushing for the passage of the “North Korean Adoption Act” through the Senate, which would enable American couples to adopt orphans from North Korea. Second, he has resolved to introduce portable farms to orphanages, providing a solar-powered, sustainable food-source. Third, he plans to create numerous projects that provide clothes, medication, and other basic provisions to those who are in need.
But there’s only one thing that stands in his way: time.
Several years ago, he was diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer of the bone marrow, Multiple Myeloma. Doctors gave him only three to five years to live, but Han is currently fighting cancer for the ninth year. His struggle is large, as he has undergone rounds of stem cell therapy and clinical trials, yet he believes that this is his calling – to take care of the impoverished children around the world.
With the recent North Korean attacks on South Korea, many people may ask, “Why help North Korea?” Mr. Han’s answer is simply, “We are not helping the North Korean government. We are simply helping the abandoned, the orphaned, and the abused. So many children die from malnutrition, disease, and harsh weather conditions every day. We target these voiceless, neglected children and hope to expand our efforts in the future.”
The HSICF is present in places of need from North Korea to Tanzania and Cambodia to Hurricane Katrina-affected areas. They have sent fortified rice and soy-protein Manna packs to the starving, hope to toddlers too weak to stand, noodle processors and electric generators, and water purifiers to underdeveloped countries.
“We believe that one child devoid of hope, of aspiration, of the dreams and wonderment that should define childhood is one too many,” Zachary Lopez, Secretary of the HSICF, explained. “These voiceless, often forgotten children are the targets of the HSICF.”
Perhaps average American teenagers can target others outside of themselves too. Change in 2011 can mean reviewing our New Year’s resolutions and doing more for the voiceless, the needy, and the forgotten.
