As I type this post, my eyes are still swollen. I'm beginning to dread each time my wife asks me to come watch an Oprah episode with her. I know it means something in my life is about to change.
Five years ago was the first time.
My wife had recorded Oprah's Christmas special in South Africa. It was her first visit there and she took her camera crew with her. After watching the special, my wife turned to me and said, "we're going to adopt." I remember the day as if it were yesterday. And today, along with our four boys, we have two beautiful little girls from Guatemala who now cheer "daddy!" each time I walk into the room. It's nothing short of miraculous.
Last year, it was another Oprah show episode that introduced my wife to Kids Haven.
Kids Haven is an education program founded in 1992 to work with street children in South Africa. It became the inspiration for her blog at Muthahood.com and the compelled her to dedicate her free time toward raising funds to assist them with their mission.
Less than 10 days ago, she called me out of my office and said, Jeff, you have to watch this with me."
Here we go again. This time it was an episode she had recorded about child slavery in Ghana. As I watched, I allowed myself to do something I had not allowed myself to do before. I went to my "dark place," as my wife calls it. I put the face and innocence of my four year old son in the story of a boy, sold by his severely impoverished parents to fisherman who claimed they would give him a better life. What they had actually done, was sell him into slavery. Lisa Ling reported from Ghana, "Many of these child slaves—some as young as 4 years old—endure severe beatings, and their work is so back-breaking that their bodies are severely overdeveloped for their young age."
I got up from our "cozy chair" and headed straight to my office. I didn't tell my wife what I was about to do, but later, when I emerged from my office, StopChildSlavery.com was born. I don't have a clue where it's headed, but I can't stop thinking about the issue, reading about the issue, learning about the organizations dedicated to helping and wondering how I, personally, can help stop child trafficking.
I blame Oprah. It's all her fault.
Tonight, we sat together and watched Building A Dream: The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy. I'll admit freely that I cry easily. Tonight I choked back the tears from the first few minutes till the end. It was inspiring and humbling. The young women who were chosen to attend her academy were all from grave life situations. They were poorer than poor, had lost parents to murder and HIV and lived in constant fear of rape and abuse each day. Yet each girl was filled with such amazing energy. Their joyous spirit came pouring out of the TV screen and into my family room. I felt a true sense of hope. I was inspired.
I sit here now, in the afterglow of inspiration, wondering how I get the concepts behind RainForChange off of the drawing board and into reality. The idea sprang from a look at world poverty. Quickly comments on that original post spoke to the real cure for poverty lying in education. Oprah obviously came to the same realization and took action. I believe her school in South Africa will make a difference.
And I know the members of this Internet community have the skills required to make a difference as well... if we take action. How can we inspire each other, as Oprah inspires me, to dedicate a bit of our time to creating awareness and a community curriculum focused on affordable housing and economic education? How do we "break poverty's hold on humanity... one homeowner at a time?" (Thank you for that wording, Steve Dalton)
Building Our Own Dream
We need to outfit an army of real estate professionals with tools that can help them go into their communities to educate children about credit, savings and wealth building. We need to motivate them to take action in their local communities to improve affordable housing initiatives. I'm not interested in just talking about it. I'm beginning to believe this may be better addressed with a highly focused group inside of AR instead of a separate website? This might make it simpler for more people to get involved and have a place to post their ideas.
I'd appreciate your thoughts...
Jeff Turner aka respres
Jeff.. so let's start this day with some tears, as reality and truth are brought to light while we comfortably sit and paly through our internet connections others suffer hardships that we can't even comprehend. Sure we can try.. we can imagine, but until you walk a mile in another's shoes.. well, you know the saying. i applaud your efforts with the website and i'm with you all the way. let me know how to put my .02 in and count on it. i know poverty first hand.. as i've been in areas in South America that people in the States can't even conceive. conditions that are sub-human, where not only is your life in danger, but you better bet your a$$ that your clothes are being eye-balled by folks feeling the cold. thanks to my persona and non-chalantness i have 'ghetto' passes across the world. seems like my guardian angel works overtime with me.
i have put my mini mission to help others on hold, due to my own needs. yes, how egoistic and self centered, but until i enable me, its rough to help others. i want to open an online shop to sell the shirts and hats, etc online, to raise money for my wife's gig. Immediate cash can go to simple things like diapers, formulas, etc.. so maybe you could clue me in how to set up that shop. ;) My wife is a social worker and i feel the local social pain constantly. situations that marvel me due to their twisted and cold nature and enrage me. i'm with you on the education the youth. last night she came home with the news that a local college (where she teaches spanish people on a part time) is offering her a position to help immigrants validate their degrees here, get grants and study or find their place in society. this may mean t
ravel to south america to talk at local highschools. there goes my chick. anyway.. that some good sh.. stuff dude. props on that new website. and the comment above me just pissed me off, i dont think he read past the first line.
Jeff - You and your wife sound like wonderful people! It is one thing to watch Oprah and sympathize, but quite another to act upon what you hear (child slavery, adoption, etc.) God bless you both for trying to make a difference in the world. As for James above, here in New York, Oprah is repeated at 7 p.m. Maybe you will be inspired by her.
Maureen Graziano
You and Rocky are that special combination of people that see a problem, feel it deeply and then do something about it. I feel kind of shallow worrying about the animals in my community when you're saving PEOPLE, but it reminds me of a discussion my husband and I had one time before I brought home our most recent dog. He said, "You can't save all of them." I told him, "I know, but I can save one, and it will make all the difference to that one." The world is too big to change it all, but you'll change the whole world for ONE person at a time and that's enough. For the people you will help, it's the whole world. God Bless you guys and your efforts. It's so worth it.
Go on and delete that first guy. He doesn't belong on here and isn't even aware of how he's damaging his reputation here. (At least, I HOPE he wasn't aware of it.)
Your website looks awesome, by the way.
If Home Stagers are in on this too...count me in Jeff. I'm a mother of 5 kids; you've got me beat!! Life is full, but a blast.
Sue Argue
Jeff, got lost in my comment and forgot to tell you, YES, if you make a group I will join and do what I can.
Maggie, I never mind when people disagree with me! Argue with me even, just do it nicely. And you are the Queen of Nice on AR.
P.S. Maggie, I'm sure those paychecks are about to Rain down on you! Seems to me you're doing everything right, sometimes it just takes time for it to all come together. I believe in you.
Sorry Jeff, got lost again. I'll go get more coffee and leave you alone now.
All, I truly love your compliments to my wife and I, please, please don't take this the wrong way, but I'm not fishing for compliments. We are rewarded ten fold for every action we take. We're just two people who happen to be in sync. When it comes to these things, we are not just on the same page, we're writing with the same pen. Something happened when we came together. It all just feels so natural.
James... I don't have time to watch every Oprah episode either. But I've learned that when my wife tells me to watch one, I need to listen. It means the world is telling me something.
Nick... dude! You make me want to fly to Florida and have a cup of coffee with you.
Sarah, no deletions for me. :) I love this community and the freedom it gives people to have a voice. Thank you for yours!
Marcie, Maureen, Maggie and Sue... thank you. I will be starting the group later today. I'll announce it.
Jeff, first off let me say that I'm impressed in the way that you honor your wife.
Second, by not only taking in what the world is trying to say to you, but also acting on it - you are definitely making the world a better place to be.
and Third - By simply showing others the way (via your websites, blogs, actions), it is sometimes just enough to light the next torch. I know for me, personally, if someone shows that something needs to be done and how to do it, I'm likely to jump in with both feet.
Count me in.
I just reading James Holmes article on the show last night and noticed your link in the comments. That show was a watershed moment! As an African, I understand many of the challenges these young women face. My parents sacrificed tremendously to give us an education. I thank God for a Mother & Father who never limited my options because I was a girl.
I also know that there is a huge, untapped and largely unrecognized resovoir of powerful, world changing potential waiting to be released through these chosen vessels. Oprah saw it...she recognized what our focus on materialism sometimes blinds us to. I appreciate your desire to be proactive. I would be very interested in learning more about the ideas you mentioned in your post.
Hey Jeff - I contribute 10% of my gross income (not gross profit) from my web business to the Oprah Network. She is the only person I can trust. It feels great and my sales are growing by leaps and bounds every month. I love writing that check.
MVH says "Give from the top, not with what is left over!"
Stage it forward!
Jeff,
Count me in. I'm being blessed and I would like to share that blessing on your cause. As Calie said, you are showing others the way to get involved.
Thanks for your time and energy spent on this. I have to admit, I have never seen an episode of Oprah. I'm glad you have.
Fran
Sarah, from your lips to God's ear. (or would that be from your fingers to his screen? whatever..) Thanks! I appreciate your support.
Jeff, I've joined the group. I may be quiet for 2 weeks or so as I'm studying for my state broker's exam, but I'll contribute afterwards. I promise!
Wow.. looks like i almost missed a movement while i was gone today. here i am full circle, morning & evening. i'm not addicted. :) JT$, what makes you think that if you came to Florida we would have only a cup of coffee? i guess you didn't see my little belly in my pic.. we would have steak sir. and if you're a vegetarian, i'll make lamb!
seriously though.. you have an admirable trait. ok, maybe more than one, but i'm referring to one right now. not only by 'daring people' by looking through that little window in the top corner of this blog, but via your posts.. this is the second time your rallying folks up for a greater cause. an unselfish cause with a greater purpose.. i dig it man.. really. and wouldn't you know.. i'm out with a passion. how did u do that?!
Jeff,
In my previous life, part of my job was overseeing 7th grade community service projects. Students had to choose a charitable cause they felt passionate about or create one of their own and devote at least 18 hours toward that cause. Here are some quotes I found to be inspirational while working them:
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead
"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world" -unknown
"Hillel used to say: It is not up to you to complete the work, yet you are not free to desist from it." -Pirke Avot 2:21
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt
"Neither fire nor wind, birth nor death can erase our good deeds." -Buddha
"They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." -Andy Warhol
Rock on Jeff!
Lori, Room To Improve
Oprah has always managed to keep her shows inspirational and has never stooped to get ratings like some of the others. She inspires me to make changes happen, even small ones can lead to bigger changes down the road.
We are currently working on a drive to help Darfur next month. And if there is anything AR wants to do as a team, count me IN!
I love Oprah. What a gift she has. I truly believe that is why she has what she has because she is a true GIVER!
But you and your wife acting on what was put before you is AWESOME! A good lesson for all of us!
I believe in the cause and will be looking for the group. I assume it is in place as this is an older post.
Jeff I have to say..I am blown away by your contributions to AR. I am new here but the information you share here is priceless. Glad I found you thru Real Estate Shows!
Bless you!
It's time to get the focus of this group back on track. If you posted to the Rain For Change group and it's now deleted, it's not because the post was not well intended or inspirational. They were. It's because I want to try and get the group back to it's originally stated mission.
This is also NOT personal. I deleted almost all of my wife's posts to the Rain For Change group too and I really like her a lot. :)
Jeff - you are a remarkable human being. Count me in.
I note, again, fruit system is asking me for APPLE - how does he do that
I love when people respond in a big way to needs - you have done that.
We mentor troubled teens in our community and share our home and lives with them.
We are also helping in Moldova ( USSR) build a home to shelter rescued trafficked women and work with Teen Challenge in Minneapolis , MN.
Way to go Jeff. I am glad to see there is still people with compassion to those that are less fortunate.
Vicki
Jeff,
Let me first start out by saying Thank You for all that you have done so far. Myself, being an African American woman feel very proud that others not of my nationality has taken a stand for something so awful that race plays no part.
Thank You!
Jeff just wondering your thoughts on Lisa Ling and Her sister, Laura Ling, is managing editor of Vanguard at Current TV. Since 2009-03-18, Laura Ling and fellow journalist Euna Lee have been detained by North Korea for allegedly attempting to film refugees along the China and North Korea border.[7] The last week of March 2009 North Korea announced that the two American journalists will be indicted and tried for illegal entry from China into the country and "hostile acts".[8]
I ran across your post while looking up Lisa and Larua ling on google.