Build an Orphanage

Being born in Canada has provided me with so many comforts, it is easy to take things for granted. I want to take time each day to be thankful for the things I have; the choices, freedoms, & luxuries. The simple act of turning on a faucet or light switch can sometimes reduce me to tears when I think of the millions of people in this world without the simplest things like clean water, or electricity. I have lived in a one room cabin, complete with outhouse...no phone, no electricity, no vehicle, but it was by choice, & even then, I had more than most. As a child, I had new clothes to wear, good schools to attend, & parents who loved me. I went to Disneyland, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo. I played sports, went to birthday parties, and got presents by the truck load at Christmas time. We weren't rich, but we never went without. I remember collecting clothing, toys, & electronics in our small community, & hauling them all the way to Mexico...our big old white van would pull in to some poverty-stricken neighborhood in Tijuana, & my brother & I would hand out toys to tiny, dirty children...that memory will never fade, but it's been far too long since I have done something to bring hope to someone in need. I have been complacent in my world of television, SUVs, and microwaves, for far too long. So many children live in deplorable conditions, in our own neighborhoods, and around the world...it's high time I formulated a plan to help in some small way. I have traveled a fair amount, but rarely to third world countries. I have no idea how to accomplish something that seems so formidable at present, but now that it is written, I will focus on this goal, in an organized manner, and someday, see it come to fruition. I will set a more specific goal and time line in the future, & I will have this post as a daily reminder to put my half-assed plan into action.