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Thank-you messages
After touring the exhibit, many students expressed their feelings in thank-you messages that they sent to Medical Teams International. Read their thoughts below:
Westview High School creative writing class expresses its thoughts and thanks.
“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 REAL. LIFE. Exhibit should be somewhere that everyone goes to.” —Ashley
“I came into this experience not knowing what to expect, and I left not knowing how to react. I have always prided myself in not being an average teenager because I am very aware of current events, and I do a lot of community service. But I was aware of facts, not faces. And I do a hundred selfish and wasteful things for every selfless act. My eyes have been forced open by haunting images I will not forget.” —Emily
“The REAL. LIFE. Exhibit was a very different experience for me. I knew these things were happening in the world, yet nothing could have made it more real to me than this exhibit. I am a very emotional person by nature, and to be able to experience this on such an strong level was such an emotional release.” —Kacy
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“When I heard about the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit, I imagined it to be a boring lecture and a slideshow. It was far from that. In it were actual smells, photos and activities. This was an amazing experience that truly opened my eyes, as I hope it did for many others. I came into the exhibit not knowing much about life outside of the United States. I remember walking out, thinking of all the ways I could raise money for the people in these countries that were enduring such peril. I realize how truly blessed I am, living in the United States, with a loving family and great education. I may be only one person, but I can make a difference.” —Kenzi
“I went to the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit expecting to be changed. I am affected by world affairs. I consider myself a compassionate human being. So attending something like this, I knew I would appreciate its purpose. But I did not expect to sit on the floor of a Romanian orphanage, crying over my guilty feelings for being born into such privilege and comfort. I did not expect to find myself lying down, gazing up at a 25-foot wave, hot tears streaming down my face, my fears of water and the ocean showing their true colors. I did not expect to be so inspired to write...” —Kellie
“I thought my life was the worst in the world, or at least in Oregon. But when we went to the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit, I saw some sad things that made me realize my life isn’t so bad. Now I’m more thankful for what I have...When I walked through the rooms, I could feel the pain of the people. The smell, the pictures and the sounds made it real...I feel like I must help some way, but I’m not sure how yet. But I do know that even though I’m only one person, I can make a difference.”—Bailey
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“Without this organization and this exhibit, I really didn’t know all this. Yeah, I was told it, but had not learned it. I cared but was forced to care. I now know all this. The thought that the dollar I spend on a soda or drink can save a life makes me feel horrible. I could save others, but I’m too lost in my own selfish world to pay attention. I take it all for granted.” —Kirsten
“I was so moved by the images I saw in the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit at Medical Teams International that there was no holding back such a powerful reaction. To be honest, I had expected to be somewhat moved by the exhibit. I always experience some sort of emotional response to these kinds of things. I did not, however, expect such a strong sensation of sorrow to overcome me as much as it did. For several minutes, there was nothing I could do. Nothing I could say. Nothing I could write. I could only sit—head bowed, back bent—and let the tears come.” —Callie
“After walking once through the REAL. LIFE. Exhibit, it came time for me to choose a place, any place, to settle and write...I found myself sitting, frozen in front of a wall that said, ‘Every 3.6 seconds, a child dies from a preventable illness.’ Somehow, the sight of the steadily blinking light enthralled me, and this is the place I chose to write. As I sat in front of the light, yellow flaring and fading on my paper, I realized that each blink of the light was tied to a human heart—a human heart that had stopped beating.” —Anna
Thank-you notes from Girl Scout Cadette Troop 41054
“Thank you for opening my eyes to the world. You showed me how many places are suffering. You showed me what I can do to help. Thanks for saving millions of lives; you help, you give hope. Now you have inspired me! I hope Medical Teams International will keep helping. Thanks.”—Hayley
“The exhibit was very eye-opening. Thank you for letting me see and understand how people are lining in other countries. It made me realize how lucky I am just to have clean water to drink! I couldn’t believe how bad some of the conditions were. The part where you showed before and after was cool. It showed how you’ve impacted other peoples’ lives.”—McKenzie
“The exhibit really opened my eyes to what is really going on outside of Oregon and America. One of my favorite parts was when we saw the 25-foot-tall wave. I couldn’t have imagined that happening to Oregon. I also liked how we could see what they lived in and how heavy the water buckets were. This exhibit was really amazing. I am very glad that you did this!”— Jessica
“This was an emotional exhibit for me. The visuals of this exhibit were what drew me in the most. Seeing actual numbers, faces of children, their drawings, and their stories truly made an impact. My Girl Scout Troop is looking forward to helping out where they can and how we can get others involved. Thank you for this wonderful experience for us all!”—Amber Dickey, Troop leader, Girl Scout Cadette Troop 41054
Thank-you expressions from Beaverton School District Health Careers Program
“Words cannot explain how I felt after walking through the exhibit. Thank you so much for allowing us to walk through and learn about the various situations. What you do to help people around the world is more than amazing. You help lives and give hope to so many. THANK YOU for making a difference.” —Kristin Villatorres
“Seeing your exhibit felt like a blow to the stomach. Seeing so much suffering and knowing that it was only a tiny percentage of the problems in the world right now really put it in perspective. Thank you so much for all that you do and the message you send out. You have inspired me to make a difference, and I know you have inspired many others. Keep doing what you are doing because it is changing lives. ” —Christie Schleider
“Thank you for the opportunity to let us see the exhibit you put together. It was very moving to see what is going on in our world today. I was unaware, but now I’m ready to take action. It was well put together!” —Madeleine Baliton
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“Thank you for putting on such a moving exhibit. It really opened my eyes to the world. I was not aware of some of those events displayed or the severity of some of those events.” —Will Normandin
“Thanks for everything, putting time to show us the many disasters that occur around the world. It has been the best exhibit that I’ve been to. It strongly moved me. Thank you for your hard effort you put in to help others in need. I admire you all. One day I’ll help others do the same things you’re doing.” —Laura Huerta
“Thank you for opening my eyes. I did not know what was happening with people around the world. What you are doing is great. I feel that all kids should go see the exhibit.” —Isaiah Campos
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“Thank you for having this exhibit and allowing us to come. It was really powerful and has made me more aware of some disasters occurring around the world. It has inspired me and many of my peers to raise money for these causes.” —Emily Jacobson
“I can honestly say this exhibit changed my views on our world. I never knew half of these disasters were going on and how much help they still need. This exhibit really made me want to help out. Thank you so much!” —Molly Prahl
“Thank you opening my eyes about what is really going on outside of my life.” —Matt Lowell
“Thank you for having this exhibit so we could come and see the “real life” truth about how we are so lucky and not grateful for what we have. I have really learned a lot and I hope that I can help make a difference in the very near future. Thank you” —Samantha Ceouse
“Thank you so much for making such a strong and real place to go see what happened.” —Brianna Barker
Thank-you messages from Redmond High School freshman class
After the entire Redmond High School freshman class visited the exhibit, they sent two forty-foot thank-you boards on which students had written their thoughts and their thanks. These are some excerpts from those thank-you messages.
“The whole exhibit put things like the burn center and Africa in perspective. I care now more than I did for other people’s lives. I don’t complain as much now. I love the exhibit.” —Alicia Hamilton
“The one thing that affected me was the burn unit. It was the biggest learning experience of my life. That’s when it hit me, I want to do something to help. My dream was always to create a foundation that helps people in different countries. Your exhibit made me want that dream even more.” —Cristine Garza
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“Thank you for this life-changing experience. I learned that so many people are worse off than I am. I really liked the wave wall.” —Corey Paige
“Thank you so much for doing what you do and letting us go to your exhibit. It really changed the way I think about a lot of things. I never realized all of that was still going on. It made me so sad and almost cry when I saw those little kids and to see what they go through. It really changed me, and I’m now going to try to help them!” —Jessica
“Thank you so much for letting us come and look around, it meant a lot. I really liked standing under the wave. I could just imagine it begin fall on the beach. The thing that shocked me the most is how many children are infected with HIV a day. Also on the bus ride back, I was listening to a 6-minute song, and I thought about how many kids died while I was listening to that song and I cried a bit. It really impacted me.” —Susan Remedy
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“Thank you for showing me how much we can help this world and how many people need everything we take for granted. Thanks.” —Michael Curreon
“Thank you so much for the great field trip. I was very overwhelmed by all that you have put into this wonderful display of your work. This was a life-changing experience for me. I know that this affected the many students at our high school.” —Angi
“Thank you for everything you let us see and experience at your REAL. LIFE. Exhibit. Everything touched my heart—from the smell to the drawings. I am a changed person who realizes that I can make a difference.” —Jake Branham
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“Thank you so much. It was one of the most amazing and shocking experiences of my life!” —Jessica
“Thank you so much for letting us come see how people live and what happened to people after disasters. I never really think what happened around the world and you got me to do that. I will try to do everything I can to help you. Thank you again.”—Sami (P.S. I really like how you made it look like we were really there!)
“I feel like I came out a different person. I had no idea about any of that stuff, and now I’m going to do whatever I can to help because I care. Before I toured the exhibit, I hated my clothes and complained about a lot, but now I’m so grateful for what I have. You all have the biggest hearts ever to do so much for people you don’t even know.” —Cassandre
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“Thank you so much for showing us how other people live their lives and what’s happening in other parts of the world. It made me think how good we have things. I really want to try help so I’m thinking about starting a fundraiser with my friends to help out the families who really need it. Thank you so much. You really changed how I felt and see things. It made me cry when I saw everything that was happening in other places of the world.” —Madison
“The exhibit made me realize just how lucky we are to live here in America, where we have running water and food whenever we want.” —Jordan
“You have put this new image in my heart and eyes, and now I think that after high school and college I want to do something similar to what you do. My friends and I are going to start a fundraiser to help with the kids and families.” —Ashleigh
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“You helped to open my eyes to situations going on around the world. Without you and our trip I would have never thought about those other things going on. I find it amazing that my class and I were so oblivious of the pain and hardships of people in the world. I hope your exhibit inspires more than just the people that have seen it so far. It’s amazing.” —Brandice Durfee
“Thank you for taking your time to show us all the things that are going on in the world. That was the best experience that I have ever had. I hope to go again so I can take people to explore it. My friends and I are going to take our time to help and support Medical Teams International.” —Karina Martinez
“Medical Teams International opened up so many people’s eyes, even mine. Most people are stuck up and don’t realize what we’ve got and what they don’t. We can make a difference in one life.” —Katherine Brouillette
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“I learned about other lifestyles in your exhibit. It really did mean a lot to me and the rest of us! Before I entered the building I was a totally different person. I am now a more thankful person because of this and this has really made me thank God for all I have. We love you all.” —Haley Hartford
“You changed my perspective. The thing that struck me the most was the spot that said my eyes hurt because my son died in front of me.” —Dalton Smith
“When I stood there and looked at the tsunami wave that was 25 feet tall, I couldn’t believe how scared the people must have been—especially since the real tsunami wave was 50 feet tall.” —Abby Cranston
“Thanks for helping those people that didn’t have any other way of help and donating their time doing so.” —Brooks
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“Thank you for all you're doing for the needy. My favorite part was the burn unit. I actually stared into the kids' eyes and it actually made me cry.” —William (BJ) Wild
“It was so eye-opening. The burned children really made me really sad, my uncle survived a car bombing in Iraq and all the children’s burns looked like his. I can’t imagine what it was like for them.” —Miranda Mayetiest
“Thank you for showing me what it is really like in this world and for showing me how I can help these people. Don’t stop giving hope to these people in need.” —Nathan Halladay
“The experience I had was wonderful! I will never forget going there. I learned that a child dies every 3.6 seconds. When I heard that, it really hit me and made me want to change the way I live. I believe that Medical Teams International is going to help a lot of people!” —Emmalea Gion
“One thing that got my attention was the burned babies. And one thing I learned from this experience is that America is spoiled for the things we get!” —Heather McCormack