Most racers have the opportunity to work with children at some point of their race. I was blessed to work at three children’s homes/orphan homes. The first of the three, I now work for full-time (doing fundraising and development) and I have learned something from that that I think every racer needs to hear.
Is there a particular kid that really captured your heart? One that makes you smile every time you see a photo of him or her? One child that your refer to “My baby” or “Mine”?
I have recently realized, that hearing those words when used to by world racers to refer to a child they spent time with, makes me CRINGE.
Why do we call these children “ours” when we have spent so little time with them. First and foremost, they belong to God. But let us also not forget about their caregivers, the people who are with them EVERYDAY. The people that were with them before we got there, and are still with them, after we left.
This is one sense of entitlement that really needs to stop.
If you are going to call a child your own, stop doing so in words only. To imply that something is yours means you have responsibility to care for it. If you are calling a child your baby, or your’s, please do something to help ensure that this child is being cared for. The easiest way to do this is to sponsor that child. Many orphan homes have child sponsor programs. Or if you are too broke to sponsor that child, advocate on his or her behalf. Find sponsors for him or her.
Either take responsibility for that child, or stop referring to that child as “My Baby” or “My Precious girl/boy”.
