Reflections from Centennial Middle School students

What I learned

I saw a poster of a mom and her baby. The mom said that when her husband found out that she had HIV, he left her and married another girl. It was only her and her baby. She also said that she doesn't want to name her child because she might not know if her baby is going to survive or not.
 
I thought the world was wealthy. What I learned at the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit changed everything for me.

The people with major struggles make up most of the world's population. Disasters happen everyday, and people in America don't know about even half of them, some don't even care. While some people live in a garbage dump, we complain about how small a 1,500 square foot house is. I learned to be grateful for everything we have.
 
The REAL. LIFE. Exhibit was phenomenal. It makes a huge difference to donate. Little things like that make a big difference to those kids. This field trip was a real eye-opener for me and my friends.

What I felt

The REAL. LIFE. Exhibit changed the way I think about tragedies. I know there is hope and love in the world. The exhibit changed my life.
 
It made me cry. I now know about people living in garbage dumps, like the little boy on the badge I wore around my neck.  

There's a lot we can do to help people in this community and people around the world. I can put myself into someone else's shoes. I think more schools should take field trips to the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit. There's a very likely chance they'd get more donations.

I came from Croatia and right when my mom arrived here, she was about to give birth to me. We had to get out of Croatia because there was a long war about 17 years ago. I was so close to being born there, I might have been a refugee. When my mom was a kid, all they had for six years was butter, jelly, bread, and sometimes some meat. For one day, I tried to eat only those foods. It was horrible and depressing. You lose the zing of the flavor on the second meal. I've had little experience about living in a refugee camp, but enough to know it's not fun.
 
It really made me think of how sheltered the USA is from war. Even though we have problems, they are not as bad as others have.

What I can do to make a difference

I want to donate and help. I soon realized that even helping or giving just a little bit makes a huge difference.
 
The REAL. LIFE. Exhibit was realistic. What can I do? I have been blessed by God, being able to sketch decent portraits. I joined Crafts for a Cause and started selling portraits through it. This gives me unexplainable joy. Giving your time and energy for the benefit of others is a reward in itself.

I will try to make a jar to take to my dad's work for people to put money in for the cause.
 
I felt blessed for what I have. More than they need a shelter, they need Jesus Christ and that is the best way I can help. I pray for the best for those families in bad situations.
 
I have been working with Crafts for a Cause and helping a lot with the Hope Kits. We asked for donations and got $25. I have been feeling great since I did this. I wish I could see the look on the kids' and adults’ faces when they get the kits!
 
This July, we will have orphans coming from Russia. My parents might take a girl.
 
If I were you, I would read this: raise money. Medical Teams International would probably gladly help send it to the needy. Help someone around their house if they can't afford to have help. Mow lawns. Get out there and help the needy.