LIFE is a journey!

Blog 4 July 13, 2020 to July 19, 2020
LIFE is a journey
Several weeks past, I posted this request. “I am teaching a roomful of 16 and 17-year-olds a course called LIFE. The students are motivated and want to learn. What would you teach them? All things are open for discussion. Thanks for your input.” I was overwhelmed by the responses. Your love and concern for the future leaders of our great Nation was evident in your suggestions. I received more than 200 comments related to all areas of life. The three major topics with the most advice is Personal Self Care, Financial especially budgeting, and Mental Input in becoming a life learner and a better person.
The course of LIFE began in December, 2015 on my first trip to Rwanda with Vern Wortman, President of English in Action. Vern and I met when I presented a keynote address to a group of Health and Wellness Caregivers regarding Effective Communication. Vern asked me if I would give the speech to the staff of a hospital and the Caregivers of orphaned children from six to fourteen in a nonprofit school. I, of course replied “yes, let’s have coffee and discuss the details.” We met several days later when he told me the hospital was in Rwanda. I said, “isn’t that in Africa? God told me years ago if I became a Christian I would not have to go to Africa.” Vern stated, “God changed His mind, He wants you to go.” How could I refuse God? Several days later, after much prayer, I agreed to go.
The country of Rwanda was 20 years past the genocide where the historical record will show the failure of humankind in Rwanda. More than 800,000 men, women and children mostly Tutsis were killed by ethnic Hutu extremists in 100 days. The United Nations failed to respond to the moral cowardice and allowed the catastrophe to happen in Rwanda.
The majority of our students were from families who died in 1994 and lived in Kibogora on the shores of Lake Kivu, the fifth largest lake in the world and the beautiful hills. It is about 100 miles from the capital city of Kigali. Approximately 5% of live births die before the age of five. Poverty, malaria, AIDS and other debilitating diseases continue to have a devastating effect on many lives. While in Rwanda I traveled to several areas looking to raise money for the individual caregivers so they could take care of the children. I spoke to Rotary clubs, Toastmaster clubs and church organizations including several presentations at the University of Rwanda in Kigali. Additionally, I taught Effective Communication, Time Management and Leadership at the school to the older students. I had an outstanding assistant and translator.
I did not intend to discuss my trip to Rwanda in this detail. I will continue next time focusing on the responses that are being incorporated in the course, LIFE. Questions for you. Why is Math and History important to LIFE? Until next time.