What VOOY Means to Me

Every morning I wake up and realize I’m lucky. Lucky to have a house, a bed, food, games, and a family who cares for me. When I saw all the faces of the children in the orphanage, who lived in such bad conditions, I realized how fortunate I truly am. Fifteen children had only one mamita who took care of them and gave them love. Although these children had only a few things, they were smiling and playful. Their happiness does not require the superficial things that our society depends upon. The children of Virgen de Fatima have learned that all a person needs is love. They have been abandoned by their parents and have been left behind. They are always hoping for people with good hearts to adopt them and welcome them into a family.

When I work for Voices of Our Youth, I feel like a hero. I know I’m contributing to this world. I’m granting children an opportunity to have a brighter future and improve the quality of their childhood. VOOY is an evening when we, the youth, are able to share our feelings and thoughts; when we can say what we need to say, and be ourselves. We are able to express our thoughts any way we want. Voices Of Our Youth is the biggest event the middle school organizes and it’s one of the biggest fund-raising events in the whole school.

VOOY is basically a wonderful evening in which we can express our views in many different ways (poems, songs, letters, essays, etc…). This is a unique opportunity when people are all the same; it doesn’t matter where you come from or what you have. What matters the most is that we are all just normal people saying what we need to say.

After VOOY last year, I completely felt like a hero. I knew what we did made the world a better place for those children. When we went to the orphanage, we could play with the children and be with them for an hour or two. When I was playing with them, I could see how happy they were with only the few things they had and a little love. These children definitely deserve something better. We have to help them so that their quality of life can improve. These children deserve to have a caring family who will make them happy. So let’s get to work and all be little heroes.

If you would like to help us make a difference in the lives of the orphans and people of La Paz and Haiti, you can purchase a ticket or make a donation by contacting us at 2792302 or 2794750 ext 203.

Or check our website and donate online at vooylp.yolasite.com

Voices Of Our Youth
“Our Voice is Hope. Our Hope is Change.”
March 25, 2010


vooylp.yolasite.com

-Grade Eight student

I Think, I Dream, I Believe, I Speak.

So many people tell me to be quiet, tell me that I'm too young to understand or that I shouldn’t be giving my opinion. As they tell me all these things I become shyer and shyer until I obey and stop speaking. Now I see that I am a real coward. How can I think in such way, how can I let people engrave such nuisance into my head. I respect my father, my mother and my elders, but that doesn’t mean that children think differently or that we as children don’t have the right to speak. I am free to believe whatever I want, it doesn’t matter what’s in my head, and no soul can stop me from doing so. There must be a reason why God gave us the gift of talking from such a young age. For I believe that as we become older, we learn about life and about people. And as we mature, our thoughts have more meaning. Our thoughts have always had a meaning and an importance, but as we mature and grow they develop into strong statements. Grown-ups wait until children are a certain age and then they actually pay attention to these concerns in life. But what adults don’t understand is if they would truly listen, one day these thoughts may be global issues. And parents can be proud because they were supportive, supportive of a person’s thoughts, even if it was just a child’s. This is what Voices of Our Youth means to me; it is a place made by us and directed by us, the children, where you are entertained and enlightened by our speeches.

Do you want to change the world? It isn’t hard; you just need hope, determination and courage. Just open your mind and speak up, ensure that all can listen.

If you would like to help us make a difference in the lives of the orphans and people of La Paz and Haiti, you can purchase a ticket or make a donation by contacting us at 2792302 or 2794750 ext 203.
Or check our website and donate online at http://vooylp.yolasite.com

Voices Of Our Youth
“Our Voice is Hope. Our Hope is Change.”
March 25, 2010

http://vooylp.yolasite.com

-Grade Eight student

VOOY is Back

What has now come to be an annual event, Voices Of Our Youth, is back this March 25, 2010!
The students of ACS have been working diligently to have their voices be heard, and not only here in La Paz, but worldwide. This year you can check out what is happening with VOOY online and even join us in helping the orphans of La Paz, the displaced of Bella Vista and the multitudes who still are suffering from the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. We are also raising awareness for the those who have been affected by the earthquakes in Chile. After much deliberation, the middle school students came to a consensus that the proceeds of their efforts would be best used in these places.

In early Feb. a neighborhood only miles from our school was destroyed by landslides. Today, hundreds are still living under tents, banning together and hoping for help. This is Bella Vista. We continue to aid Para Los Niños, a local nonprofit organization that is reaching out to orphanages throughout La Paz. Last year, our slogan was "I am the one whose voice can change the world." This year the students wanted to honor that sentiment and help the people of Haiti as well as those here in Bolivia.

So another year has come and our voice still speaks. Join us this year as our slogan is, "Our Voice is Hope. Our Hope is Change."
Check out our new website, http://vooylp.yolasite.com and join our Facebook group, Voices Of Our Youth, Bolivia, and receive updates on what is happening with VOOY 2010!
Thanks for all of your support!