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MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY is sponsored by USA TODAY and its weekend publication, USA - WEEKEND. |
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The last Saturday of each October marks the annual Make a Difference Day campaign. A number of national corporations have joined in sponsoring the campaign. Several of these corporations offer cash rewards for individuals and groups who make outstanding contributions to the MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY campaign. Visit the USA Today web site for more information on ways to challenge yourself to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
ANGELCARE is interested in MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY activities because we know that a single, caring person can make a big difference in the lives of poor and needy children throughout the world. Visit our projects page to see how you can be a participant in one of ANGELCARE's many worldwide projects. Learn how you can become a volunteer to help needy kids in Guatemala.
This section contains ideas that have been gathered for the express purpose of helping students and teachers who are looking for ways to get involved in USA Today’s Annual MAKE A DIFFERENCE Day activities.
An ANGELCARE child sponsorship offers an individual or a class of students the opportunity to support and communicate with a child in a Third World country. It is an opportunity to make a profound and life-changing difference in the lives of a poor child. In the other direction, it is an opportunity for the sponsor(s) to learn about a poor child in a developing country. A child sponsorship is one of the most effective ways to MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Our child sponsorship is the key to making permanent change in the lives of poor children and families. It depends upon long-term commitments and support from the sponsors. A child sponsorship involves a promise of contributing $.85 a day, $25 a month, $300 a year. Child sponsorships provide schooling, medical care, food, nutritional supplements, and community development projects. You can become a sponsor by calling (888) ANGL-CARE/(888) 264-5227.
INVITE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A CONSULATE
INVITE A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER OR A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A CONSULATE TO SPEAK TO YOUR GROUP/CLASS. OTHER GUESTS TO INVITE MAY INCLUDE:
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A physician or a dentist who has worked in a Third World country.
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A person who has been on a student exchange program.
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A person who has lived in a Third World country.
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A missionary who has lived in another country.
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A student who was born in a Third World country.
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Parents or grandparents who have immigrated to the U.S.
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Teachers who have taught, lived, or traveled to Third World countries.
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Persons in the import-export business.
- Obtain information on corresponding with a child by writing and requesting a MAKE A DIFFERENCE Correspondence Packet.
- FIND THIS BOOK: HANDS AROUND THE WORLD by Susan Milord.
- It contains 365 creative ways to build cultural awareness & global respect. (Williamson Publishing; Charlotte, Vermont.)
The map can be used in social studies, history, geography, foreign language studies, community service groups, and math.
IDENTIFY PRODUCTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD:
Help students become aware of how the economy of an individual country is connected and intertwined with the economy of another country. Products that are “made in America” can have a high percentage of foreign made parts. Third World countries often produce components that are used in many modern products. Many Third World counties export their natural resources to build their economies and modernize their countries. Many also export handicrafts and furniture that is sold throughout the U.S. The purpose in discussing this subject is to make students aware of the fact that many of the things their families purchase contribute to the economies of Third World countries; it is rarely fair to compare wages earned in one country with those earned in another country. While exploitation of the poor makes it possible for advanced nations to live well by buying products made with cheap labor, lower labor costs in Third World countries is not always a sign of corporate exploitation.
ORGANIZE A MULTI-CULTURAL DAY OR CULTURAL FESTIVAL:
Get your entire school to participate in a Multi-Cultural Day. They pick a country. They can bring typical foods, recipes, music, dresses, dances, games,and products. They can make booths as part of fund-raising activities. The funds could be used to help the poor in your community or in one of the countries featured in the festival. The students can be challenged to do in-depth research in preparation for the festival. If there is sufficient lead-time, letters could be obtained from classes or students in other countries. A representative from one of the Consulate offices might add a very personal touch to the festival.
In poor Third World countries, more often than not, the books available to the students are out-of-date because their schools can not afford the latest, most up-to-date books. A group of U.S. students can bring a class of Third World students the newest text books by raising funds that will enable us to purchase them. A group can raise any amount of money over $100. The books will be purchased locally so that they will meet local educational requirements and will be in the appropriate language. Local teachers make the decisions on which books are purchased. ANGELCARE will arrange to have pictures taken at the school when the books are presented. These pictures will be sent to the class or group that raises the funds used to purchase the books. The students receiving the books will write “thank you” letters. You are asked to inform ANGELCARE that your group is raising money for books.
There is a growing body of teaching aids that teachers in Third World countries can use if they have televisions and VCRs. These aids can transform a classroom and open a whole world of opportunity and knowledge to the students. A group of U.S. students can MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the learning experience of a poor, Third World class. The costs of a television and VCR are higher than in the U.S.A - each set costs around $800. You are asked to inform ANGELCARE that your group is raising funds for a television and VCR.
Students in Third World countries are entering the same 21st century as are students in the U.S. This is a century that will be dominated by computers and instant world-wide communications. If these students are to be prepared to contribute to their own country’s role in a world dominated by computers and the Internet, they need to have both hardware and software on which to train. An adequate computer with software costs $800 - $1800, depending upon the country. Here is a chance to really MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of the students in a Third World country. You are asked to inform ANGELCARE that your group is raising funds for a computer and software.
To get an idea of what schools are like for teachers and students in Third World countries, you need to go back 50, 75, and 100 years and learn what U.S. schools were like. Even in schools where there are individual classrooms, the teachers must make their own alphabets, displays, and any teaching tools they want to use. In the 2006 MAKE A DIFFERENCE Day activities, ANGELCARE is inviting students and groups to either raise the funds or collect materials that can be used by teachers. We are seeking materials in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Polish (for the educable retarded). Groups that collect materials must also raise enough money to pay for the shipping and customs costs ($35 - $40). You are asked to inform ANGELCARE that you are raising funds or collecting materials for classroom supplies.
Like students in the U.S., students in Third World countries need pencils, paper, folders, magic markers, and the other supplies to complete their school assignments. Unfortunately, for most of them that means they don’t properly finish or even submit their homework because they can’t afford the supplies. Providing them with school supplies will transform their ability to be better students. Money can be raised for school supplies at the rate of $20 per pupil; the average class has 30 students. $20 will provide a student with supplies for the entire school year. You are asked to inform ANGELCARE that you are raising funds for school supplies.
In a typical Third World country, the government requires all students in both private and public schools to wear uniforms to school. Each school can select its own uniform. The reasoning behind the requirement for uniforms is to remove economic and other class distinctions among students. The problem is that some students cannot afford uniforms and, therefore, cannot go to school. Individuals can raise funds for school uniforms at the rate of $20 per pupil. This will buy two uniforms a year for a student. Groups can buy as many uniforms as they wish in multiples of $20. You are asked to inform ANGELCARE that you are raising funds for uniforms and how many uniforms you think you will be providing.
Children in Third World countries rarely have more than one set of clothes and either no shoes or sandals made out of cut-up tires. Individuals or groups are invited to raise $150 to give a child a completely new wardrobe that will last a year or more, including shoes. Clothing for Third World students can be gathered in the U.S. All items gathered by the class must be new and should be the same size and sex. The class needs to raise $35 in cash for shipping and handling.
This is a fun way to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the lives of children in a Third World country. A supply of balls, several hand pumps, and a set of nets cost $500. They will be put up in a vacant lot and be used by all of the children in a community. Soccer, known as football in most of the world, is known and played in the most remote areas of the world. This is a project that will bring smiles and fun to hundreds in the community that gets the equipment. You are asked to inform ANGELCARE if you are raising money for sports equipment.
This is a wonderful, fun way to MAKE A DIFFERENCE to small children by providing them with playground equipment. The equipment can range from Jungle Jims for preschoolers to swings, rope ladders, and such for older children. Interested groups are asked to contact the ANGELCARE Home Office to discuss what is most needed, where it is needed, and how much it costs.
HOST A TEACHER FROM GUATEMALA OR THE PHILIPPINES:
If you really want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE and get your entire school to “act locally and think locally,” organize a fund raising campaign that will bring a teacher to your community for a visit of one or two weeks. This will involve travel and other costs of $2,000 (for Guatemala) or $3,000 (for the Philippines) and the housing and other arrangements in your own community. You need to contact the ANGELCARE Home Office to discuss scheduling and other arrangements as soon as possible. Only a limited number of teachers are available for these visits each year. There needs to be at least six months advance notice for planning an effective visit.