Visitor comments
Here's what people are saying about the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit.
What the media are saying:
"A Must. See. . . . should be akin to required reading for everyone in middle school and older. . . . These gritty scenes evoke the sights, sounds, even smells of the hundreds of places where Medical Teams International works around the world." — The Oregonian, editorial
"This is one of the most moving exhibits I have ever seen and a worthy field trip for any school." — Lynn Huston, reporter, KOIN News 6
What educators are saying:
“The REAL. LIFE. Exhibit touches the soul! It says to students, 'You can make a difference.' That is a powerful message for those who struggle to find meaning in their education and direction in their lives.” —
Dr. Robert McKean, superintendent of the Centennial School District, Oregon “One of my goals as an educator is to develop compassion in my students. When my middle school students arrived at the exhibit, they were typical rowdy adolescents. But within minutes of arriving, they sobered. In their follow-up writing assignments, several expressed a desire to choose careers that would help people in the world. I can’t think of a better outcome.” — middle school teacher
“Our entire faculty visited the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit as part of a professional development day. The staff soon realized that every one of our students needs to experience this exhibit. We are now planning how we can integrate the exhibit into our entire curriculum.” — Andy Sears, principal of Westside Christian School
“I can't imagine our curriculum without the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit. Our nursing students are changed by going through the exhibit—not only as future nurses who may have an impact on global healthcare but also as people and members of our global community.” — Carol Thorn, nursing faculty, Clackamas Community College
“The REAL. LIFE. Exhibit is just that: real life. I know because I was a war refugee when I was younger, and the refugee camp part of the exhibit brought back many memories for me. I want to send my International Affairs students to the exhibit because I know it will spark some significant discussion for us. This exhibit is a great resource.” — university professor, Portland State University
What church leaders are saying:
"I took my youth group through the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit, and it was so powerful, real, and life-changing. The experience altered how we see the world now. The whole weekend was a mission trip for the kids, and your exhibit was their favorite part." — Haley Meshnik, youth leader, Eugene, Oregon
“When I was preparing my youth group to go on a mission trip to a poor area in Mexico, we visited the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit during our orientation session. The exhibit gave us a hands-on feel of what poverty is like and allowed the kids to talk about their feelings in a safe environment.” — church youth-group leader
“I could tell the young people in our group were very much engaged by what they saw, and I want to keep that momentum going. I will be organizing a churchwide drive to assembel HOPE Kits to send to needy places in the world.” — church youth-group leader
"I recently brought students.as part of a week-long mission trip….We had high expectations for our time at the exhibit, and they were truly exceeded. The students were so moved by what they saw and learned. Please find a check enclosed. . . . You have helped change the course of 24 young lives." — pastor
What students are saying:
“Walking through the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit really touched me more than any textbook or movie would. I took in more than expected and left with more than I could imagine.... The blinking light moved me the most. It remained with me throughout the rest of the day. Thinking that the light would still be blinking even after we were long gone made my stomach turn, I felt that I had to do something to change it. I think that the exhibit should be somewhere that everyone goes to.” —Ashley
“Visiting the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit was one of the most worthwhile, eye-opening experiences that I have ever had. You always see pictures, videos, places and people who need our help, but the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit made them become a part of my life.... Until now it’s not that I didn’t want to help, or I couldn’t, I wasn’t just sure how.... Now that I have seen what is happening in the world, I am ready to go and help others.” — Nick
“I did not know that people suffered so much in the world. Learning about people dying of hunger, illness, and diseases in poorer countries gave me a different perspective on life.... The REAL. LIFE. Exhibit inspired me to go out and do something to help people.... It is the most inspiring, moving, amazing, and encouraging exhibit I have ever seen. Without a doubt, I was determined, motivated, and dedicated to make a difference. I may not save everybody, but I can save one person at a time!.” — Danica
“I visited your exhibit with my youth group a few months ago. Your exhibit changed my outlook on life. I started thinking about everything I took for granted and came up with a list that was too long. The REAL. LIFE. Exhibit has inspired me to go and do something to help people instead of just feeling sorry for them.” — Ty
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