October is National Diversity Awareness
Month.
According to the Webster Dictionary,
diversity is, “difference, unlikeness, variety, multiformity, a point of
difference.”
Today most
schools have a diverse student population, except perhaps some private schools.
SarShine is no different. The students are a mix of Latino, African American,
Anglo and even Native American. It is a wonderful experience to visit the
campus and see all their faces and how they interact with each other.
They have one thing in common; they
are all kids without stuff.
“Stuff” includes:
·
Material
stuff. Many of the StarShine students live below poverty level.
·
Family
stuff. Some of the StarShine students live with single parents, or live with
aunts, uncles, grandparents or friends, who have a bed for them, and some live
on the streets.
·
Mentor
stuff. Many of the StarShine students have no one to listen to them or to be
role models, give advice or love.
The
StarShine principal, teachers and volunteers do a great job filling that role.
It is a safe place for all the children who come to the school. They learn to
trust adults and each other, and even to contribute to others needier than they
are.
Not all
students fit in, but most do. I have had the privilege, as a volunteer for over
6 years, to see and work with diverse happy, loving young children. It is a
special gift when I see trust growing in a high school student.
By Lois
Jamieson
Did you know that we’re
turning all of these inspirational KidsWithout Stuff stories into a book? And --- we’re almost finished.
You can
help by finding us the best publisher in the world!
Thanks!
